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How to Stop Excel Queries from Refreshing Automatically When Opening Files
Question details
The user needs to prevent Excel queries from automatically refreshing when a file is opened, specifically when the standard refresh setting has already been disabled.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening Excel workbooks that contain Power Query connections.
- Observed behavior
- Queries refresh automatically upon opening the workbook, despite the 'Refresh data when opening the file' option being unchecked, affecting multiple files.
Verify if there are any active VBA macros (such as a Workbook_Open event) or Power Automate flows triggered upon file opening that might be forcing the data refresh.
Inspect Workbook for VBA Macros or Power Automate Flows
Determine if a hidden macro or an automated flow is overriding your connection settings.
Even if the query properties are set correctly, background automation scripts can force a refresh command as soon as the workbook loads.
Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor in Excel.
In the Project Explorer on the left, double-click 'ThisWorkbook' and look for any 'Private Sub Workbook_Open()' code that triggers a refresh.
If you use Office 365, check your Power Automate dashboard to ensure no desktop or cloud flows are set to refresh the file upon opening.
Test the Behavior with a Clean Sample Workbook
Isolate the issue by testing a standard sample file on a personal account.
Contact IT Administrator for a Support Ticket
If the issue persists across multiple files and accounts in an organization, escalate the issue to Microsoft Support via your IT admin.
Switch to WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Management
If you are experiencing persistent issues with complex Excel configurations, consider trying WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly spreadsheet environment for managing data without the heavy overhead.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to set up WPS Office on your device.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx files directly; no complex format conversion is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Excel queries refresh on open when the setting is unchecked?
This behavior is often caused by hidden VBA macros (such as a Workbook_Open event) or external automation tools like Power Automate overriding the default query connection settings.
Where can I find the query refresh settings in Excel?
Go to the Data tab, click on Queries & Connections, right-click on your specific query, select Properties, and look under the Usage tab for the 'Refresh data when opening the file' checkbox.
How do I check if my Excel file contains macros causing the refresh?
Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic for Applications editor. Check the 'ThisWorkbook' module and standard modules for any code that might force a data connection to refresh upon opening.
