How to Clear a Saved ODBC Username in Excel Power Query
Question details
The user needs to remove an incorrect PostgreSQL username previously saved by the Data Connection Wizard so they can create a new 64-bit ODBC connection in Excel Power Query.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel 365
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Creating a new 64-bit ODBC data connection to a PostgreSQL database.
- Observed behavior
- Excel automatically uses the cached, incorrect credentials from a previous setup instead of prompting the user to enter a new username.
Ensure you have your correct database credentials (username and password) ready before clearing the old permissions, as Excel will prompt you to enter them the next time you connect.
Clear Global Permissions in Excel Data Source Settings
This is the primary and recommended method to remove saved ODBC connection credentials directly within the Excel application.
Excel caches your data source credentials globally to save time when making repeated connections. Clearing these permissions forces Excel to forget the old username and prompt you for new credentials.
Launch Excel and open a workbook. Go to the Data tab on the ribbon, click on Get Data, and select Data Source Settings from the drop-down menu.
In the Data Source Settings dialog box, click on the Global Permissions radio button at the top to view all credentials saved on your machine.
Scroll through the list and select the PostgreSQL data source. Click the Clear Permissions button at the bottom (or select Clear All Permissions if you wish to reset everything), then confirm the prompt.
Close the Data Source Settings window, restart Excel, and create your 64-bit ODBC connection again. You should now be prompted to enter your new credentials.
Reset the Power Query Profile Folder in Windows
Use this alternative method if clearing permissions inside Excel fails and the incorrect username persists.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Excel save my ODBC data connection credentials?
Excel securely saves these credentials globally on your machine within the Data Source Settings menu, specifically under the Global Permissions tab. This prevents you from having to log in every time you refresh a data query.
Will clearing my data source permissions delete my existing queries?
No, clearing permissions only removes the saved login credentials (username and password). Your query structures and data models will remain fully intact, but Excel will ask you to re-enter your login information the next time you refresh them.
Why does my ODBC connection keep using the old password even after I typed a new one?
This occurs because the Data Connection Wizard caches your initial credentials. Unless you manually clear the old profile from the Global Permissions menu, Excel defaults to the cached information without giving you the option to override it during the connection setup.
