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How to Use Excel Power Query on Mac and Windows via Parallels
Question details
The user wants to know how to edit Power Queries in macOS while also running Excel for Windows through Parallels on the same MacBook.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Working with Power Query across both native Mac Excel and virtualized Windows Excel on a single Apple device.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs a workflow to ensure Power Queries remain editable on the Mac side without running into compatibility limitations or file-locking issues between the two OS environments.
Ensure your Microsoft 365 subscription is active and update Excel for Mac to the latest channel, as Power Query Editor support heavily depends on your specific version. If you are using Parallels, verify that you have sufficient storage space and a valid Windows license installed.
Create and Edit Power Queries natively in Excel for Mac
Creating queries on the macOS side ensures they remain fully editable within the Mac environment without relying on the Windows virtual machine.
While Excel for Mac has expanded its Power Query capabilities, it is best practice to originate the query on the OS where you intend to do most of your editing. This avoids hitting unsupported connector errors.
Launch Excel for Mac, navigate to the 'Data' tab on the ribbon, and click on 'Get Data (Power Query)' to open the editor interface.
Select your data source from the available list of Mac-supported connectors (such as local text/CSV files or SQL databases), apply your needed transformations, and load the data to your spreadsheet.
Save the file securely on your Mac drive to ensure the query definitions are stored correctly.
Run Excel for Windows through Parallels Desktop
Access the complete suite of Windows-exclusive Power Query connectors and Data Model features by running Excel inside a Windows virtual machine.
Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless Mac Experience
If running Parallels and juggling multiple versions of Excel is consuming your MacBook's storage and battery, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and unified experience for your spreadsheet tasks natively on macOS.
- 1. Download the Mac installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the native macOS application.
- 2. Install and launch: Drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder and launch the program.
- 3. Open your files: Open your existing Excel workbooks instantly without the overhead of booting up a Windows virtual machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I edit a Windows-created Power Query on my Mac?
Excel for Mac is continuously updating its Power Query Editor, but some specific data connectors and advanced Data Model features native to the Windows ecosystem are not yet fully supported on macOS.
Can I have the same Excel file open in both Mac and Windows via Parallels?
No, it is highly recommended to avoid opening the same local workbook simultaneously in both environments. Doing so can cause file locking, save conflicts, and potential data loss.
Does Excel for Windows run smoothly on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes, you can run Excel for Windows on M1 or M2 MacBooks using Parallels Desktop, which supports installing Windows 11 on ARM and translates traditional Office applications efficiently.
