Office Settings & Configuration

Fix ThisWorkbookDataModel Disappearing from Excel Queries and Connections

Adam Davis Oct 8, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where the ThisWorkbookDataModel connection disappears from the Queries and Connections pane after an Excel workbook is saved and reopened.

How to Fix ThisWorkbookDataModel Disappearing from Excel Queries and Connections

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing Power Pivot data models and queries in an Excel workbook that was originally created from a CSV file.
Observed behavior: The data model still functions and allows for increased record limits, but ThisWorkbookDataModel becomes completely invisible in the Data > Queries and Connections pane.

Before you start

Ensure your file is saved in a standard Excel workbook format (.xlsx or .xlsm) rather than a flat .csv file, as CSV formats cannot retain data models upon saving.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Data Model Visibility and File Format

Confirm that the file format supports data models and check if the data model remains active despite the missing connection text.

Sometimes the disappearance of the ThisWorkbookDataModel label is a graphical interface bug rather than an actual loss of data. Verifying the underlying Power Pivot data is the best way to confirm the file's integrity.

Check the file format

Look at the title bar of your Excel window to confirm the file is saved as a macro-enabled or standard workbook (.xlsx or .xlsm) instead of a CSV.

Inspect the Power Pivot tab

Navigate to the Power Pivot tab on the Excel ribbon and click the 'Manage' button to see if the data model opens successfully with all your tables.

Test with a new Pivot Table

Go to Insert > PivotTable, select the option to 'Add this data to the Data Model', and verify if it interacts seamlessly with your existing data model.

Verify Data Model Visibility and File Format

Visual Bug: If the data model works correctly but the connection name is missing from the pane, it is highly likely a visual rendering bug in Microsoft 365.

Solution 2

Update or Repair Microsoft 365

Fix underlying software bugs that cause the Queries and Connections panel to fail to display ThisWorkbookDataModel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does saving as CSV remove my data model?

The CSV (Comma Separated Values) format is a plain text file format. It does not support complex Excel features like Power Pivot, macros, or the ThisWorkbookDataModel connection. Always save as an .xlsx file to retain these features.

Can I recreate ThisWorkbookDataModel if it disappears?

If the underlying data model is still intact, you cannot manually recreate the exact text in the pane. However, you can create a new data model query by inserting a new Pivot Table and checking the option to add it to the Data Model.

Is the missing ThisWorkbookDataModel a sign of file corruption?

Not necessarily. If your Power Pivot window opens successfully and handles increased record limits without throwing errors, the missing text is typically just a UI rendering issue in the Queries & Connections pane rather than actual file corruption.

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