Power Query Problems

Fix Power Query Importing Only 255 Columns from Web XLSX

WPS Content Manager Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users experience an issue where Excel Power Query truncates data, importing only the first 255 columns when an XLSX file is loaded directly from a web URL.

How to Fix Power Query Importing Only 255 Columns from Web XLSX Files

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Importing a large dataset containing more than 255 columns directly from a web-hosted XLSX file using Power Query.
Observed behavior: Power Query only displays and imports the first 255 columns from the web source, whereas all columns are fully visible if the same file is downloaded and opened locally.

Before you start

Verify that your source XLSX file actually contains more than 255 columns and ensure you have sufficient network permissions to download a complete copy to your local drive.

Solution 1Recommended

Download and Stage a Local Copy of the Workbook

Bypass the web connector limitation by downloading the XLSX file to your computer or a synced network drive before importing it.

The web import limitation is a known behavior in Excel Power Query when handling XLSX files directly via HTTP/HTTPS. The most reliable workaround is to process the file locally where the standard file connector can read all columns without truncation.

Download the file

Open your web browser, navigate to the URL of the XLSX file, and download it directly to a local folder on your computer.

Open Excel Power Query

Launch Microsoft Excel, go to the 'Data' tab on the ribbon, click on 'Get Data', select 'From File', and then choose 'From Workbook'.

Import the local file

Browse to the location where you saved the downloaded XLSX file, select it, and click 'Import'. The Power Query Navigator will now display all columns beyond the 255 limit.

Download and Stage a Local Copy of the Workbook

Automating with Cloud Sync: If the file updates frequently on a platform like SharePoint, sync the folder to your PC using OneDrive. You can then point Power Query to the local synced path to maintain an automated connection without the web column limit.

Solution 2

Seek Assistance in the Power BI Community

If you are encountering this issue within Power BI Desktop rather than Excel, consult the official community forums for specialized connector updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for High-Performance Data Analysis

If you frequently encounter limitations and import bugs in Excel, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a lightweight, highly compatible spreadsheet environment that opens large datasets smoothly without requiring an expensive subscription.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
2. Install the software: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
3. Open your large datasets directly: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and easily open your wide XLSX files to view and edit all columns without web import truncation issues.

Seamless format compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Smoothly opens and manages large spreadsheet files with hundreds of columns.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate tabbed interface.Built-in advanced data filtering, sorting, and pivot table functionalities.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Power Query have a 255-column limit for web imports?

This is a known limitation specific to how the Web connector parses structured XLSX workbook formats over HTTP/HTTPS in Power Query. The connector occasionally defaults to older data handling protocols that enforce legacy column limits.

Can I use SharePoint or OneDrive to bypass this column limit?

Yes. By syncing your SharePoint or OneDrive document library to your local PC using the sync client, you can use the 'From File > From Workbook' connector instead of the Web connector, which loads all columns correctly.

Does this 255-column limit apply to CSV files imported from the web?

Generally, no. This specific limitation is most frequently observed when the Power Query Web connector attempts to parse binary XLSX workbook files. Plain text formats like CSV usually import fully regardless of column count.

Excel & Data Problems