How to Fix Excel SQL Server Data Refresh Errors in SharePoint
Question details
Users need to resolve an issue where an Excel workbook successfully refreshes SQL Server data in the desktop app but fails when accessed via Excel for the web or SharePoint.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel for the web
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to refresh an external SQL Server data connection from within an Excel workbook hosted on SharePoint or Excel for the web.
- Observed behavior
- The data refresh fails in the web environment because the SQL data source does not support anonymous credentials, despite working flawlessly in the local desktop application.
Verify that your SQL Server database is online and check whether colleagues are experiencing similar refresh issues with other connected workbooks to isolate the problem.
Refresh the Workbook in the Excel Desktop Application
Since the connection works locally, opening the file in the desktop app is the fastest way to refresh the data immediately.
Excel for the web has stricter authentication limitations compared to the desktop version. By forcing the workbook to open in the native Excel application, you bypass web-based credential blocks and utilize your local machine's connection to the SQL Server.
Navigate to the document library in SharePoint where the file is stored, select the workbook, click the 'Open' dropdown menu, and choose 'Open in App'.
Once the file opens in the Excel desktop application, navigate to the 'Data' tab on the top ribbon and click the 'Refresh All' button to pull the latest SQL Server data.
After the data finishes updating, save the workbook. The refreshed data will automatically sync back to SharePoint for web users to view.
Use Power Automate to Sync SQL Data to SharePoint
Create an automated workflow to export SQL Server data directly to a SharePoint Excel table, bypassing web refresh errors.
Update Authentication Settings for Excel for the Web
Configure external data connection settings to ensure they use a supported authentication method rather than anonymous credentials.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Local Data Management
If complex SharePoint authentication issues are slowing down your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with a familiar interface, allowing you to manage spreadsheets and handle data locally without unpredictable server-side refresh limitations.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office from the official website and complete the quick, lightweight installation process.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your .xlsx file directly from your local drive.
- 3. Manage Data Securely: Edit, format, and handle your data locally to ensure complete control over your connections and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my SQL data refresh work in Excel desktop but fail in SharePoint?
The Excel desktop application utilizes your computer's local network and Windows credentials to communicate directly with the SQL Server. Excel for the web operates on a web server that does not support passing anonymous credentials or local network tokens, causing the refresh to fail.
Which authentication methods are supported by Excel for the web?
Excel for the web typically requires secure authentication setups, such as Windows Authentication configured via a Secure Store Service, or specific organizational OAuth settings. It explicitly blocks unauthenticated or anonymous connection strings for external data.
Can I bypass this SharePoint limitation without changing SQL settings?
Yes. The simplest bypass is to open the file in the desktop app to perform the refresh. Alternatively, you can build a Microsoft Power Automate flow to extract the SQL data and automatically push it into a static Excel table hosted on SharePoint.
