Power Query Problems

Workarounds for Excel SharePoint Folder Connector in Apps for Business

Camila Milosovich Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need a reliable way or workaround for Microsoft 365 Apps for Business users to refresh Power Query data connected to a SharePoint folder.

How to Resolve SharePoint Folder Connector Issues in Excel Apps for Business

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A workbook with a Power Query connected to a SharePoint folder needs to be refreshed by multiple users with different Microsoft 365 license tiers.
Observed behavior: Users with Apps for Business licenses cannot refresh the query if their Excel version lacks the required connector, and local OneDrive synced paths fail for other users trying to refresh.

Before you start

Verify the exact Microsoft 365 license tiers of all users attempting to refresh the workbook, and ensure they have adequate access permissions to the host SharePoint site.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Direct SharePoint Site URL Instead of Local OneDrive Path

Replace the localized OneDrive sync path in Power Query with the direct SharePoint site URL so other users can authenticate and refresh the data from their own accounts.

When you use a local synchronized OneDrive path (e.g., C:\Users\YourName\Contoso...), the query relies on your local file directory. If another user attempts to refresh the workbook, the query will fail because the file path does not exist on their machine.

Using the direct SharePoint site URL circumvents this issue, allowing Excel to fetch data directly from the cloud using the current user's organizational credentials.

Open Power Query Editor

In Excel, navigate to the Data tab, click on 'Get Data', and select 'Launch Power Query Editor'.

Modify the Source Step

In the Query Settings pane under 'Applied Steps', click the gear icon next to the 'Source' step.

Enter the SharePoint URL

Change the file path to use the SharePoint connector function (e.g., SharePoint.Files("https://yourdomain.sharepoint.com/sites/yoursite")). Do not include the specific document library path in the root URL.

Authenticate as Organization User

Click 'Close & Load'. When other users open the workbook and click 'Refresh All', they must select 'Organizational account' to sign in and authenticate their access to the SharePoint site.

Use Direct SharePoint Site URL Instead of Local OneDrive Path

License Requirement: This solution assumes the end user's Excel version supports the SharePoint Folder connector. If they are on a restricted Apps for Business license, this connector may still be unavailable.

Solution 2

Implement Centralized Refresh and Distribution

Use a centralized user with an Enterprise license to handle data refreshes when Apps for Business users lack the required connector capabilities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Apps for Business users refresh SharePoint Folder queries created by Enterprise users?

Generally, no. If the Microsoft 365 Apps for Business installation does not include the SharePoint Folder connector, users will receive an error when attempting to refresh the data, even if the query was successfully created by an Enterprise user.

Why does my Power Query fail when other users try to refresh it?

If your Power Query source is set to a local OneDrive synchronized folder (e.g., C:\Users\[YourName]\OneDrive...), other users cannot refresh it because that exact folder path does not exist on their computers. You must change the query source to the direct SharePoint site URL.

Is there a workaround if we cannot upgrade to Enterprise licenses?

Yes. You can have a single user with an Enterprise license refresh the master workbook and distribute the updated file, or you can explore using standard Web or OData connectors if the data source can be exposed through those universally supported protocols.

Excel & Data Problems