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Fix Excel Power Query Refresh Becomes Slow After First Time
Question details
Users report that Excel Power Query refreshes quickly upon first opening a workbook, but subsequent refreshes take significantly longer to complete.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Refreshing data connections via Power Query multiple times within the same Excel session.
- Observed behavior
- The first query refresh executes quickly, but all subsequent refreshes become extremely slow, even when Fast Data Load is enabled.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection and that the external data sources connected to your Power Query are currently accessible and not experiencing high server loads.
Enable Fast Data Load in Query Options
Turning on Fast Data Load can help reduce refresh times by prioritizing data extraction over background Excel processes.
By default, Excel balances background processes with data queries. Enabling Fast Data Load forces Excel to prioritize the query refresh, which can significantly speed up the operation, though it may make the rest of Excel temporarily unresponsive.
In your Excel workbook, navigate to the 'Data' tab located on the top ribbon.
Click on 'Get Data' and select 'Query Options' from the bottom of the dropdown menu.
Under the Global settings, select 'Data Load'. Check the box for 'Fast Data Load' and click 'OK' to save your changes.
Submit a Support Request via Microsoft 365 Admin Center
If the issue persists across multiple workbooks despite enabling Fast Data Load, it may require backend environment investigation by Microsoft support.
Try WPS Office for Fast and Reliable Spreadsheet Management
If Microsoft Excel performance bugs and slow loading times are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and lightning-fast alternative for viewing and managing complex spreadsheets without the heavy resource overhead.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package for your operating system.
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- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Right-click your existing .xlsx files and choose 'Open with WPS Office' to experience seamless compatibility and fast loading speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Power Query refresh fast the first time but slow down later?
This is often caused by Excel's internal caching mechanisms or memory management behavior. The initial data pull is highly prioritized, but subsequent pulls may struggle with memory release, cached credential checks, or server-side connection throttling.
Does clearing the Power Query cache improve refresh speed?
Yes, clearing the cache can sometimes resolve slow refresh issues. You can do this by going to Data > Get Data > Query Options, selecting Data Load under Global, and clicking the 'Clear Cache' button.
Can complex transformations slow down Power Query?
Absolutely. Highly complex transformations, nested queries, or merging large datasets can drastically increase refresh times. Optimizing your M code and pushing transformations to the data source (known as query folding) can help improve performance.
What is Fast Data Load and is it safe to use?
Fast Data Load is a safe Excel feature that directs maximum system resources toward the query refresh. The only drawback is that Excel might become temporarily unresponsive or slow to use for other tasks while the data is actively loading.
