Fix Excel Freezing When Adding Tables in Microsoft Query
Question details
Microsoft Excel freezes completely when attempting to add a new table using the legacy MS Query feature.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Creating new database queries via Data > Get Data > From Other Sources > MS Query to pull external tables into Excel workbooks.
- Observed behavior
- Excel locks up and freezes when trying to add a new table, even though existing queries refresh normally and repairing Office or running Safe Mode does not resolve the issue.
Force-close any frozen instances of Excel using the Windows Task Manager. Ensure you have your database credentials and server details handy, as you may need to recreate the database connection.
Test Connection and Update Database Drivers
Outdated ODBC drivers or conflicting Office updates are common culprits for legacy MS Query freezing issues.
Legacy MS Query relies heavily on system-level ODBC drivers. If your Office version updates but your database driver does not, compatibility issues can cause the application to hang when querying table schemas.
Open a completely blank workbook in Excel. Navigate to Data > Get Data > From Other Sources > From Microsoft Query to see if the freeze is isolated to your previous workbook's corrupted cache.
Go to File > Account > About Excel. Note whether you are running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Excel (e.g., 64-bit Version 2110).
Open the Windows 'ODBC Data Source Administrator' tool that matches your Excel bitness (64-bit). Check the version of the driver you are using for your database (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle) and download the latest version from the provider's official website.
Go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now. If the issue is a known bug in a specific build, a recent patch may resolve the intermittent freezing.
Migrate to Power Query
Switching from the legacy MS Query tool to the modern Power Query editor can bypass the freezing bug entirely.
Try WPS Office for Stable Data Processing
If Microsoft Excel continues to experience performance issues and freezing during complex tasks, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight alternative that handles spreadsheets smoothly without consuming excessive system resources.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installer.
- 2. Install the suite: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up the software on your PC.
- 3. Open your spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx files directly. You can seamlessly continue your data analysis work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel freeze specifically when adding tables in MS Query?
This freezing typically occurs due to incompatible or outdated 64-bit ODBC database drivers clashing with recent Office 365 updates. It can also happen if the workbook's external data cache has become corrupted over time.
What is the difference between MS Query and Power Query?
MS Query is a legacy tool introduced in early versions of Excel for importing external data using SQL. Power Query (Get & Transform) is Microsoft's modern, robust data connectivity tool built natively into newer versions of Excel, offering better performance and advanced data cleaning.
How do I know if my Excel is 32-bit or 64-bit?
Open Excel, click on File > Account, and then click the 'About Excel' button. The top line of the dialog box will display your exact version build and specify whether the installation is 32-bit or 64-bit.
Will an Office Repair fix the MS Query freezing issue?
While running an Online Repair (via Control Panel > Programs and Features) can fix corrupted program files, it often does not resolve MS Query freezing if the root cause is a third-party ODBC driver compatibility issue or an unpatched Office version bug.
