How to Connect and Refresh an Excel List Stored in OneDrive
Question details
User wants to connect a destination workbook to a dynamic Excel list stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, then refresh the imported data when the source changes.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel and OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- They maintain a source list in OneDrive or SharePoint and need a linked copy in another workbook that can be refreshed without re-creating the import.
- Observed behavior
- The destination workbook should contain a refreshed copy of the source table; updates are not necessarily real time and the imported data is not an independently editable version of the source.
Make sure the source list is saved as an Excel table in OneDrive or SharePoint, and use the same Microsoft account to open the source location and the destination workbook.
Connect to an Excel table in OneDrive with Get Data and set up refresh
Use this when the source list is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint and you need a refreshable copy in another workbook.
Power Query does not create a real-time link. The destination worksheet holds a loaded query result, so it behaves as a refreshed copy rather than an independently editable version of the source.
In Excel, open the source workbook from OneDrive or SharePoint, select the list range, and press Ctrl+T or click Insert > Table. Save the workbook back to OneDrive or SharePoint.
Open the workbook where you want the imported list, and click Data > Get Data > From File > From Workbook.
In the Navigator, choose the source workbook, select the table or worksheet, and click Load to place it in the destination worksheet.
Click Data > Queries & Connections, right-click the query, select Properties, and enable Refresh data when opening the file. Use Data > Refresh All for a manual refresh.
Use a downloaded OneDrive file in WPS Office and refresh locally
Use this when you do not need a live OneDrive connection and only want to open, check, or share the Excel list in WPS Office.
Use WPS Office as a Free Alternative for Excel List Editing and Sharing
Power Query connections to Excel workbooks in OneDrive are part of Microsoft 365 and Excel. WPS Office does not replace that specific OneDrive query feature, but it is a free, lightweight Office alternative that opens, edits, and saves .xlsx files with a familiar spreadsheet interface and strong format compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the imported Excel list update in real time when the OneDrive source changes?
No. Updates appear only after a refresh. You can refresh manually with Data > Refresh All or set the query to refresh when the workbook opens. It is not a live real-time link.
Can I edit the imported list in the destination workbook and send changes back to the source?
No. The destination data is a refreshed copy. Edit the original Excel table in OneDrive or SharePoint; the destination workbook picks up those changes after the next refresh.
Where do I set the query to refresh automatically when the workbook opens?
Click Data > Queries & Connections, right-click the query, choose Properties, and enable Refresh data when opening the file. You can also use Data > Refresh All to refresh it manually.
What if my source list is in SharePoint instead of OneDrive?
The steps are the same: use Data > Get Data > From File > From Workbook, sign in to the SharePoint site, select the workbook and table, then load it and configure the refresh settings.
Can WPS Office connect to a OneDrive Excel list for automatic refresh?
WPS Office is a free Office alternative that opens and edits Excel files, but it does not provide the same direct Get Data/Power Query connection to a OneDrive workbook. Download the file and refresh or reimport it locally, or use Microsoft Excel for the online query connection.
