Fix Excel Power Query Refreshing the Wrong Workbook Path
Question details
The user needs to stop an Excel workbook from refreshing a fixed local C: drive source path and make it use data from the current workbook through Excel.CurrentWorkbook.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel / Power Query
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- A workbook created with Excel.CurrentWorkbook and query-based pivot tables is shared with another user, but Excel still asks to update a source workbook on the original author's C: drive.
- Observed behavior
- Excel shows a query or connection update prompt and points to an absolute path such as C:\Users\Files\Spreadsheet.xlsx instead of reading data from the current workbook.
Open the workbook in Excel, go to Data > Queries & Connections, and check whether the Queries & Connections pane lists any hidden query or connection. If a query is visible, open Power Query Editor to inspect its source step.
Inspect and Correct the Power Query Source to Excel.CurrentWorkbook
Use this first when a query or pivot table keeps pointing to another workbook path; it corrects the source so refresh reads the current file.
Power Query stores the source formula behind each query. A query may look correct but still contain an absolute File.Contents path in a later step or in a duplicate connection.
In Excel, click Data > Queries & Connections to display the workbook queries and connections pane.
Right-click the query that feeds the pivot table and choose Edit to open Power Query Editor.
In the Query Settings pane, select the first step named Source and confirm the formula bar shows Excel.CurrentWorkbook() or a reference to a table or range in the current workbook, not File.Contents or a C:\ path.
If the Source step uses File.Contents("C:\Users\...") or another fixed path, change it to Excel.CurrentWorkbook() or point it to the correct table or range in this workbook, then select Close & Load.
Remove Stale Connections and PivotTable Cache References
Use this when the Queries & Connections pane shows no visible query or when the prompt continues after correcting the query source.
Refresh and Verify the Workbook After Correction
Use this to confirm the fix after editing the query source or removing stale references.
Switch to WPS Office for Lightweight Spreadsheet Editing Without Power Query Path Issues
WPS Office is a free, lightweight Microsoft Office alternative that opens .xlsx files with familiar spreadsheet tools and strong format compatibility. While complex Power Query fixes must be handled in Microsoft Excel, WPS Office makes everyday editing and migration easier.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Click Download WPS Office Free, run the installer, and open WPS Spreadsheets on your Windows PC.
- 2. Open the .xlsx workbook: In WPS Spreadsheets, click Menu > Open and select the Excel workbook that contains the shared data.
- 3. Save in Excel format: After editing, click Menu > Save As > Excel Workbook (*.xlsx) to keep Microsoft Excel format compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Excel workbook ask to update a file on someone else's C: drive?
Because a query, connection, or pivot cache still stores an absolute source path from the original author's computer. Open Data > Queries & Connections and check each query source or connection for a File.Contents or C:\Users path.
How do I make Power Query use Excel.CurrentWorkbook instead of a fixed path?
Open Power Query Editor, select the Source step, and replace File.Contents("C:\...") with Excel.CurrentWorkbook() or point the source to a table or range in the current workbook. Then choose Close & Load.
What if no queries or connections are visible but Excel still asks to update links?
Check Data > Queries & Connections > Connections tab, and click any pivot table then PivotTable Analyze > Change Data Source. Stale connections can also be removed from Data > Edit Links if the workbook uses legacy external references.
Can WPS Office fix the Power Query source path automatically?
WPS Office can open and edit .xlsx workbooks, but Power Query source management is a Microsoft Excel feature. For complex query path fixes, use Excel; for daily editing and compatible file handling, WPS Office is a free alternative.
