Power Query Refresh Failures: Diagnose and Fix Checklist
Troubleshoot a Power Query refresh that fails or returns wrong data with a diagnosis table, step-by-step checks and prevention habits.
The Open buttons send the prompt text as currently shown below to that site only when you click. Fill in the placeholders first.
[VERIFY] is an editorial flag, not a blank to fill. Wherever the prompt shows [VERIFY], check that item against a reliable source before you use it.
My Power Query refresh is failing or giving odd results and I need a diagnosis. Excel version: [EXCEL_VERSION]. Data source type: [SOURCE_TYPE] (folder, workbook, web, database). The exact error message: [ERROR_MESSAGE]. When it started: [WHEN_STARTED] and what changed around that time: [RECENT_CHANGES]. The query steps list from Applied Steps: [APPLIED_STEPS]. Give me: 1. A ranked diagnosis table with columns Likely cause, Evidence in my message or steps, Test to run, Fix. Include moved or renamed files, changed column names, data type errors, locked or open files, privacy level settings, credentials expired, and changed sheet names. 2. A step-by-step debugging method: find the first failing step in Applied Steps, check the preview, look at error rows, and test the query on one file. 3. A preventive checklist: stable folder paths, a data dictionary of column names, step names that explain themselves, and a test file. 4. What information I should send to a colleague or forum so they can help (without sharing private data). If the information I gave is not enough to be sure, say what is missing. Do not tell me to delete the query or change privacy settings without explaining the risk; mark settings paths [VERIFY]. This is defensive troubleshooting of my own workbook only.
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