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Fix Missing From Folder in Excel Power Query for Mac
Question details
The user is unable to locate the 'From Folder' option in the Get Data menu of Power Query to import and combine multiple files at once.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel (Mac)
- Device & OS
- macOS (M1 Mac)
- Scenario
- Attempting to automate the import of multiple data files stored in a single folder using Excel Power Query.
- Observed behavior
- The 'From Folder' connector is completely missing from the Get Data > From File menu. Only options like Excel Workbook, Text/CSV, XML, JSON, SharePoint Online List, OData, Blank Table, and Blank Query are available.
Verify that your version of Excel is fully updated, and gather all the files you intend to combine into a single, easily accessible folder on your Mac.
Use Supported Connectors and Append Queries Manually
Since the Mac version of Excel has fewer data connectors, you can bypass the limitation by importing files individually and appending them in the Power Query Editor.
Power Query on Excel for Mac currently lacks the 'From Folder' feature available in the Windows version. To achieve similar results, you must import the files one by one using the supported connectors and combine them manually.
Navigate to the Data tab on your Excel ribbon and click on the 'Get Data (Power Query)' button.
Choose an available connector that matches the format of the files in your folder, such as 'Text/CSV' or 'Excel Workbook'.
Select the first file from your folder and load it into the Power Query Editor. Repeat this process for the remaining files.
In the Power Query Editor, use the 'Append Queries' function from the Home tab to combine all the individual file tables into one consolidated table.
Process Data using Excel for Windows
Use the Windows version of Excel to leverage the full suite of Power Query connectors, including the 'From Folder' option.
Write Custom M Code via Blank Query
Advanced users can use the Blank Query option to write custom M code that pulls data from multiple files.
A Seamless and Lightweight Alternative for Spreadsheet Work
If limitations in Excel for Mac are slowing down your workflow, consider using WPS Office for your everyday spreadsheet and documentation needs. It offers a fast, feature-rich environment without the hefty subscription fees.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free Mac version.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded installation package and drag WPS Office to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your files: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and instantly open any existing Excel files with perfect formatting preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel for Mac have fewer Power Query connectors than Windows?
Power Query was originally built specifically for the Windows operating system. Microsoft is in the process of rebuilding and porting these features to macOS, which is why Mac users currently experience a limited set of connectors.
Will Microsoft add the 'From Folder' connector to Excel for Mac in the future?
Microsoft updates Excel for Mac on a regular basis and is steadily adding missing Power Query features. You can monitor the Microsoft 365 Roadmap or Office Insider release notes to see when 'From Folder' is scheduled for release on macOS.
Can I use Parallels on my M1 Mac to get the 'From Folder' feature?
Yes. By installing a virtual machine like Parallels Desktop with an ARM version of Windows 11, you can install the Windows version of Microsoft Office. This will grant you full access to all Windows-exclusive Power Query connectors.
