How to Fix Excel Power Query Error 0x80131163 When Loading
Question details
The user is experiencing an unexpected Typelib export error (0x80131163) when attempting to close and load a basic Power Query table in Excel.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Loading a basic data table using Power Query (e.g., using Excel.CurrentWorkbook) without applying any complex transformations.
- Observed behavior
- Excel displays an 'Unexpected Error' dialog containing the message 'Typelib export: General error' along with the error code 0x80131163.
Before troubleshooting, ensure you have saved your current workbook and closed any other instances of Excel running in the background to prevent data loss.
Install Office Updates and Test in a New Workbook
Since this is often an internal application-level glitch in Excel 2019, installing the latest patches and ruling out file corruption is the primary workaround.
Because this error can occur even with simple tables and no data transformations, there is no reliable configuration fix within Power Query itself. Updating the Office suite ensures you have the latest bug fixes applied to the Power Query engine.
Open Excel, navigate to 'File' > 'Account', click on 'Update Options' under the Product Information section, and select 'Update Now' to download and install the latest patches.
Once the updates are fully installed, close all Excel windows and reopen the application to ensure the changes take effect.
Create a completely blank workbook (File > New), insert a simple table, and attempt to recreate the basic Power Query connection to verify if the issue is resolved.
Report the Issue via Microsoft Support or Feedback
If updating Excel does not resolve the error on a basic table, the issue requires intervention from the Microsoft product development team.
Use WPS Office as a Lightweight, Error-Free Alternative
If Microsoft Excel continues to disrupt your workflow with unexpected Power Query errors like 0x80131163, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly stable spreadsheet environment without the heavy background dependencies that cause Typelib export errors.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the quick setup process.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx files directly. You can continue analyzing your data smoothly without compatibility loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Typelib export: General error' mean in Excel?
This error typically indicates a problem with the Component Object Model (COM) registration or an internal software bug in Excel when it attempts to compile and load the Power Query data model into the workbook.
Can corrupted data cause error 0x80131163 in Power Query?
While corrupted source data can cause various issues, error 0x80131163 is uniquely known to occur even with extremely simple, clean tables using basic queries like Excel.CurrentWorkbook. This points to an application-level bug rather than a problem with your specific data.
Will running an Office Repair fix the Power Query 0x80131163 error?
Running an Online Repair via the Windows Control Panel can sometimes resolve underlying COM or Typelib registration issues. However, ensuring you have installed the latest Office application updates should be your first troubleshooting step.
