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Fix Power Query for Mac Access Denied Error Connecting to Folders
Question details
The user encounters an access-denied error when attempting to connect to a local directory using the folder connector in Power Query.
- Product
- Power Query for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Using the Folder.Files connector to import data from a local folder into an Excel workbook.
- Observed behavior
- Power Query returns an access-denied error despite the target folder having correct read and write permissions granted.
Verify that your selected folder has not been moved or renamed, and ensure your Microsoft Excel application is updated to the latest macOS version.
Use Alternative Data Sources or Windows Environment
Bypass the access-denied error by using supported direct file connectors instead of the unsupported Mac folder connector, or switch to a Windows environment if bulk folder connection is strictly required.
Microsoft Excel for Mac currently has limited Power Query capabilities compared to its Windows counterpart. Specifically, the 'From Folder' (Folder.Files) connector is not fully supported natively on macOS. This limitation triggers a false 'Access to folder path is denied' error, even when your system permissions are perfectly configured.
Instead of selecting a whole folder, navigate to the 'Data' tab, click 'Get Data (Power Query)', and choose to import individual Excel workbooks (.xlsx) or Text/CSV files directly.
If you are testing newly released beta features, go into your Power Query Editor, click 'Data Source Settings', and re-select the source folder to ensure the path isn't caching an old location.
If your workflow depends heavily on the Folder.Files connector, install Windows on your Mac using Parallels Desktop or Bootcamp, and use the Windows version of Excel to process the folder connections seamlessly.
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If you are frustrated by platform limitations and unsupported features in Excel for Mac, WPS Office provides a fast, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for your spreadsheet needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I get an access denied error when folder permissions are set to read and write?
This error in Excel for Mac typically occurs because the 'From Folder' connector feature is not fully supported in the Mac version of Power Query, rather than an actual macOS system permission issue.
Will Microsoft add the 'From Folder' connector to Excel for Mac?
Microsoft continually updates Power Query for Mac to bring it closer to feature parity with the Windows version. You should keep your Office applications updated to receive new connectors as soon as they are officially released.
Can I import multiple CSV files on a Mac without using the folder connector?
Yes. You can manually import CSV files one by one using the standard Text/CSV connector in Power Query, or use VBA macros as a workaround to loop through a specific directory and consolidate the data files.
