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How to Improve Power Query Performance with SharePoint Data in Excel
Question details
Users experience slow refresh times and synchronization delays when using Power Query to connect an Excel workbook to multiple SharePoint data sources.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Refreshing data connections tied to complex or multiple SharePoint lists in an Excel workbook.
- Observed behavior
- Power Query refreshes very slowly, leading to long synchronization periods and potential sign-in delays that disrupt workflow.
Ensure you have Microsoft 365 Admin privileges, as resolving complex SharePoint and Power Query network performance issues often requires submitting an official support ticket.
Raise a Microsoft 365 Support Request
Because performance bottlenecks can stem from the SharePoint environment, network configurations, or authentication loops, contacting Microsoft Support is the most reliable way to diagnose the specific root cause.
Without testing the specific tenant environment, it is difficult to determine the exact performance impact of multiple SharePoint connections.
A dedicated support engineer can analyze the network telemetry, query structures, and backend SharePoint performance.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center using your administrator credentials.
On the left-hand navigation menu, click on 'Support' and then select 'New service request'.
Fill out the request form. Be sure to include the exact refresh duration, your query structure, the size of your SharePoint data sources, your Excel version, and whether this delay affects all users or just specific ones.
Optimize Power Query Steps Locally
Applying best practices within your Power Query steps can reduce the amount of data downloaded from SharePoint, potentially speeding up the refresh time.
Try WPS Office for Fast, Lightweight Data Processing
If you are tired of dealing with slow refresh times and complex data connection troubleshooting in Microsoft Excel, consider trying WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for processing and analyzing large datasets without bogging down your system.
- 1. Download the Software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the simple on-screen instructions to install the software, then open WPS Spreadsheet.
- 3. Open Your Data File: Drag and drop your existing Excel workbooks into WPS Spreadsheet to instantly view, analyze, and edit your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Power Query take so long to refresh SharePoint data?
Performance drops can occur due to poor workbook design, complex query steps, slow network connections, repetitive authentication checks, or limitations within the SharePoint environment when handling multiple data sources simultaneously.
Does the size of my SharePoint list affect Power Query refresh times?
Yes. Larger datasets require more time to retrieve and process. It is highly recommended to filter your data at the source or remove unnecessary columns early in the Power Query Editor to minimize the load.
Can I speed up connections to SharePoint folders?
Yes. Using the 'SharePoint.Contents' function instead of 'SharePoint.Files' can improve speed, as it navigates directly to the specified folder instead of loading metadata for every file in the entire SharePoint site.
