Power Query Problems

How to Fix Power Pivot Cube Error When Refreshing Power Query

Elise Williams Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is encountering a 'level object was not found in the cube' error when attempting to refresh a Power Query or Power Pivot data model.

How to Fix the Power Pivot Cube Error When Refreshing Power Query

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Refreshing a data model, cube formulas, or Power Query connections in a workbook.
Observed behavior: An error message appears stating that a level object was not found in the cube, causing the data model refresh to fail.

Before you start

Ensure you save a backup copy of your current workbook before making structural changes to your Power Pivot data model or modifying cube formulas.

Solution 1Recommended

Review and Update Power Pivot Data Model References

Identify and fix broken references in your calculated members, measures, and data model tables to resolve the cube error.

This error typically originates from the Power Pivot or Analysis Services data model rather than a standard Power Query transformation step. It occurs when a referenced level, such as a specific field or table column, has been renamed, removed, or structurally modified in the source data.

Open Power Pivot Data Model

Navigate to the 'Power Pivot' tab on the Excel ribbon and click on 'Manage' to open the Power Pivot window.

Identify Missing Fields

Review your data tables, specifically looking for fields that might have been renamed or deleted recently, such as 'BrandLookup' or 'Competition' fields.

Update Measures and Calculated Columns

Inspect your measures and calculated columns in the calculation area. Ensure that all formulas correctly reference the current names of the tables and columns.

Refresh the Model

After correcting any broken formulas or relationships, click the 'Refresh' button within the Power Pivot window to verify the error is resolved.

Review and Update Power Pivot Data Model References

Data Model Integrity: Keeping your Power Query source column names consistent with your Power Pivot data model is the best way to prevent cube reference errors.

Solution 2

Check and Rebuild Cube Formulas in the Worksheet

Correct standalone cube functions in your Excel worksheet that may be referencing missing data model objects.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Analyze Data Seamlessly with WPS Office

Dealing with complex Power Pivot and cube errors in Microsoft Excel can be frustrating. WPS Spreadsheets offers a highly compatible, lightweight, and user-friendly alternative for managing data and creating dynamic pivot tables without the steep learning curve.

1. Open Your Dataset: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your data file.
2. Insert a PivotTable: Go to the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'PivotTable'.
3. Select Range: Confirm your data range and choose whether to place the PivotTable in a new or existing worksheet.
4. Analyze Data: Drag and drop fields into the Rows, Columns, and Values areas to quickly analyze your data without encountering complex cube errors.

High compatibility with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Lightweight installation and smooth performance even with large datasets.Intuitive interface for creating pivot tables, data charts, and summaries.Free alternative to expensive Microsoft Office subscriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the 'level object was not found in the cube' error mean?

It means that a specific column, field, or dimension referenced by a measure or cube formula in your Excel data model has been renamed, moved, or deleted from the underlying source data.

Is this a Power Query error or a Power Pivot error?

Despite appearing when you try to refresh the dataset, this is typically a Power Pivot or Analysis Services data model error. It indicates the data model is trying to process a formula containing an invalid reference, rather than a failure in the Power Query extraction itself.

How do I find which cube formula is causing the error?

You can use the Excel 'Find' feature (Ctrl + F) to search for 'CUBE' across your workbook. This will highlight cells containing functions like CUBEMEMBER or CUBEVALUE, allowing you to verify their references against your current data model.

Excel & Data Problems