Power Query Problems

Fix Power Query Error: The Column of the Table Was Not Found in Excel

WPS Content Manager Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is encountering an error stating 'the column of the table was not found' when refreshing a Power Query that combines six Excel files stored in a shared folder.

Fix Power Query Error: The Column of the Table Was Not Found

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Refreshing a data query that combines multiple Excel workbooks located on a shared network drive.
Observed behavior: The Power Query refresh fails with a missing column error, even though the source data appears unchanged and recreating the query does not resolve the issue.

Before you start

Ensure that the source Excel files have not been moved or renamed, and verify that no column headers in the source data contain newly added trailing spaces or capitalization changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Isolate the Issue with a Local Sample Workbook

Test the query locally to determine if the error stems from the shared folder's network permissions or the query structure itself.

Network latency, synchronization delays, or folder permission issues can sometimes cause Power Query to drop columns when pulling from a shared environment. Isolating the file locally helps rule out environmental factors.

Remove the affected connection

Open your main Excel workbook, navigate to the 'Data' tab, and click 'Queries & Connections'. Right-click the failing query and delete the connection.

Create a local sample

Copy one or more of the six source Excel files from the shared folder and paste them onto your local machine (e.g., your Desktop or Documents folder).

Build a new test query

Open a new Excel workbook, go to 'Data' > 'Get Data' > 'From File' > 'From Workbook', and select your local sample file.

Test the refresh

Run the query steps on the local file and hit 'Close & Load'. If the query refreshes successfully, the issue is likely tied to the shared folder's network path or permissions.

Isolate the Issue with a Local Sample Workbook

Sanitizing Data: If you need to share the file with IT support or a public forum for further help, make sure to replace sensitive business information with dummy data before sharing.

Solution 2

Verify Column Names and Applied Steps in Power Query Editor

Check for mismatches between the source data headers and the hardcoded column names in your query's Applied Steps.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Power Query say a column was not found when the data hasn't changed?

This error usually occurs because a column referenced in the query's 'Applied Steps' has been slightly altered in the source data. Even invisible changes, like an accidental trailing space or a capitalization change (e.g., 'Total Sales' to 'Total sales'), will cause Power Query to fail to recognize the column.

How do I fix a missing column error in an Expanded Table step?

Open the Power Query Editor, locate the 'Expanded Table' step in the Applied Steps list, and click the gear icon next to it. Reselect the columns you want to expand based on the current available headers in your source files.

Can shared network folder permissions cause Power Query refresh errors?

Yes. If network folder permissions change, or if synchronization delays occur when combining multiple shared workbooks, Power Query might load an incomplete version of the file structure, leading to missing column errors.

Excel & Data Problems