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How to Refresh Power Query in Excel for the Web from OneDrive
Question details
Users need to refresh Power Query data for an Excel workbook stored on OneDrive, but the action fails in Excel for the Web.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Maintaining shared, cloud-based inventory tracking and dashboards where users require up-to-date data without manual downloads.
- Observed behavior
- Excel for the Web does not support refreshing this specific Power Query configuration, preventing online data updates for the workbook.
Ensure you have the Microsoft Excel desktop application installed on your device, as you will need it to process the data refresh locally.
Refresh Power Query Data using the Excel Desktop Application
Since Excel for the Web limits online query refreshes, downloading the file to update it via the desktop app is the reliable workaround.
Excel for the Web currently does not support refreshing certain Power Query configurations and external data connections natively in the browser. To get your data updated for shared users, the workbook must be refreshed locally and synced back to the cloud.
Navigate to your OneDrive account in your web browser, locate the Excel workbook, click the three dots (More options) next to the file, and select 'Download' to save it to your computer.
Open the downloaded file using your Excel desktop application. Go to the 'Data' tab on the top ribbon and click 'Refresh All' to update the Power Query connections.
Once the data is refreshed, save the workbook. Return to OneDrive in your browser and upload the updated file, replacing the older version so that all shared users can see the current dashboard data online.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I refresh Power Query directly in Excel for the Web?
Excel for the Web has restricted capabilities regarding external data connections and advanced Power Query refreshes. It requires the robust processing power of the desktop application to fetch and update these specific data models.
Will shared users see the updated data after I refresh it on desktop?
Yes. Once you refresh the Power Query data using the desktop app and overwrite the existing file on OneDrive, anyone viewing the shared workbook link will see the newly updated data.
Is there a way to automate this process without downloading the file?
For fully automated cloud-based refreshes without manual desktop intervention, users typically need to upgrade to Power BI or configure automated workflows via Power Automate, as standalone Excel for the Web does not support it.
How can I request this feature for Excel for the Web?
You can submit a feature request or feedback directly to Microsoft by clicking on 'Help' > 'Feedback' within Excel for the Web, or by posting on the official Microsoft Feedback portal.
