Data Import & Export

Fix Excel External Data Properties Reverting After Update

Bushra Parveen Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent external data properties from resetting to their default settings every time a data refresh is performed in Excel.

How to Fix Excel External Data Properties Reverting After Every Update

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Refreshing external data connections in a workbook, whether stored locally or on a shared server.
Observed behavior: Excel's External Data Properties fail to save user changes and automatically revert to their original settings following each data refresh.

Before you start

Check your Office account settings to determine if your software updates are managed by an IT administrator, as you will need appropriate permissions to install the necessary bug-fix patches.

Solution 1Recommended

Install the Latest Office Updates

Since this reverting behavior is a known bug in recent versions, installing the latest patches released by Microsoft is the primary method to resolve it.

Microsoft has acknowledged that a recent Office update caused external data connection properties to reset upon refreshing. They actively push fixes for these known issues through standard update channels. Ensuring your Office suite is completely up to date will apply any available hotfixes.

Open Account Settings

Open Excel, click on 'File' in the top left corner, and then select 'Account' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Check for Updates

Under the 'Product Information' section, click on the 'Update Options' button.

Apply Updates

Select 'Update Now' from the dropdown menu. Wait for the updater to download and install any pending patches, then restart Excel to see if the data properties stabilize.

Update Completion: If the issue persists immediately after updating, you may need to wait for Microsoft's subsequent patch cycle for your specific release channel.

Solution 2

Submit Detailed Feedback to Microsoft

Reporting your specific environment details directly helps the development team isolate the root cause if the bug remains unfixed in your version.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Stable Data Management

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1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Excel data connection properties keep resetting?

This is a known bug introduced in a recent Office update. The software temporarily fails to write the modified connection properties back to the file metadata, causing it to revert to default states whenever the connection is refreshed.

Does moving the Excel file from a shared server to a local folder fix the properties bug?

No. Users have confirmed that the issue persists regardless of the file's storage location. Moving the workbook from a network drive to a local directory will not resolve the reverting properties.

How can I track the status of this Excel bug fix?

You can monitor the official Microsoft 365 release notes page and check the Microsoft Tech Community forums. Microsoft typically announces bug resolutions in their monthly update changelogs under the 'Resolved Issues' section for Excel.

Excel & Data Problems