Data Import & Export

How to Fix Excel Cannot Open IQY File Downloaded from SharePoint

Camila Milosovich Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to open an IQY (Internet Query) file downloaded from a restricted SharePoint server using Microsoft Excel.

How to Fix Excel Cannot Open an IQY File Downloaded from SharePoint

Product: Microsoft Excel, SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting data from a SharePoint Server or SharePoint Online list to Excel via an IQY query file.
Observed behavior: Excel fails to import the data and displays the error message: "An unexpected error has occurred. Changes to your data cannot be saved."

Before you start

Verify whether you are using SharePoint Online or an on-premises SharePoint Server, and check with colleagues to see if they experience the exact same issue when opening the file.

Solution 1Recommended

Apply Microsoft Registry Fix for SharePoint Export

Modify the Windows Registry to ensure Excel can properly authenticate and connect to SharePoint Online.

This error frequently occurs due to missing registry keys required for modern SharePoint authentication in Microsoft Office.

Adding the necessary authentication key to the Windows Registry typically restores the ability to import data via IQY files.

Open Registry Editor

Press Win + R on your keyboard, type 'regedit' into the Run dialog box, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.

Navigate to the Office Identity Key

Use the left-hand folder pane to navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity. (If you are using an older version of Office, replace '16.0' with your corresponding version number).

Create a New DWORD Value

Right-click in the empty space on the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it 'EnableADAL'.

Set the Value Data

Double-click the newly created 'EnableADAL' key, change its Value data to 1, and click OK.

Restart and Test

Close the Registry Editor, restart your computer, and attempt to open the SharePoint IQY file in Excel again.

Apply Microsoft Registry Fix for SharePoint Export

Registry Backup: Always back up your registry before making manual changes to prevent unintended system issues if a mistake is made.

Solution 2

Test Alternate IQY Files and Site Permissions

Determine if the issue is isolated to a specific restricted SharePoint site or file by testing alternative sources.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Data Management

If Microsoft Excel continues to experience authentication and connectivity issues with complex web queries, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible spreadsheet tool that efficiently handles your daily data management without requiring complex registry configurations.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup in minutes.
3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and instantly open your existing Excel workbooks and data files without losing any formatting.

Fully compatible with standard Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Avoids the complex Microsoft ecosystem registry errors tied to SharePoint authentication.Lightweight installation with incredibly fast startup times.Completely free to use with a familiar, user-friendly tabbed interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is an IQY file?

An IQY (Internet Query) file is a simple plain text file used by spreadsheet programs like Excel. It contains the web address and query parameters needed to automatically download and refresh data from the internet or an intranet, such as a SharePoint list.

Why do I get an 'unexpected error' when exporting SharePoint to Excel?

This error typically occurs due to blocked authentication tokens, restricted user permissions on the SharePoint server, or outdated registry settings in Windows that prevent Excel from communicating properly with SharePoint.

Does this export error happen on both SharePoint Online and SharePoint Server?

Yes, it can happen on both. However, troubleshooting differs slightly: SharePoint Online issues often require updating the Office Identity registry keys (like EnableADAL), while on-premises Server issues may involve checking internal network permissions or VPN connections.

How can I view the actual contents of an IQY file?

Because IQY files are just text files containing connection strings, you can easily view their contents by right-clicking the file, selecting 'Open with', and choosing Notepad. This allows you to inspect the target URL and query properties directly.

Excel & Data Problems