Excel power pivot file size reduced and broke

[DataNinja777]

Hi Power BI community,

I have been using Power Pivot data model in my Excel monthly reporting file, and it broke 2 days in row (yesterday and today).  The symptom of breaking is that the excel file size reduced significantly suddenly, and the the power pivot data model became blank and no longer accessible.  The file has around 80 worksheets due to it being accounts reconciliation file.   Please could anyone let me know what is causing this issue of sudden breaking?  I'd greatly appreciate it if anyone could let me know how I can avoid this from happening in the future.  (I have created multiple backups to be on a safe side).  In the past, there was a period when this was happening frequently in Excel Power Pivot, but I thought the issue stabilized in recent years. Any insight into this issue is greatly appreciated.  Thanks a lot.  

[DataNinja777]

Thank you @Anonymous for taking time to address my issue.  I greatly appreciate your advice. A couple of days ago, my PC which has 32 GB RAM and Intel core i7 CPU, was extremely slow due to network issue and I am wondering if this has something to do with the Power Pivot model breaking.  My file sizes are relatively small at 2 MB and 16 MB which both broke on the same day, two days in a row. I will look out for the points you mentioned.  

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @DataNinja777 

The issue you're experiencing with Power Pivot in Excel, where the data model breaks and the file size reduces significantly, can be caused by several factors, ranging from file corruption, memory constraints, software bugs, to conflicts with Excel updates or add-ins.  Here are some potential causes and solutions to prevent this issue from recurring:

Potential Causes

1. File Corruption: Over time, Excel files, especially complex ones with many worksheets and a large data model, can become corrupt. This corruption can lead to the sudden loss of data, including the Power Pivot model.

2. Memory Constraints: Power Pivot models can consume a significant amount of memory, especially with large data sets. If your system doesn't have enough RAM to support the operations you're performing, it can lead to issues with the data model.

3. Software Bugs or Glitches: Even though Power Pivot has stabilized over the years, new updates or changes in Excel can introduce bugs that might affect the stability of Power Pivot models.

4. Conflicts with Other Add-ins or Excel Versions: Sometimes, other add-ins installed in Excel can conflict with Power Pivot. Additionally, using an older or unsupported version of Excel can lead to compatibility issues.

Solutions and Prevention

1. Keep Excel Updated: Ensure that you're using the latest version of Excel. Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix known bugs and improve stability.

2. Optimize Power Pivot Data Model: Simplify your data model by removing unnecessary columns, creating summarized tables where possible, and using efficient DAX formulas. This can help reduce the file size and memory usage.

3. Monitor Memory Usage: Keep an eye on your system's memory usage, especially when working with large data models. Upgrading your system's RAM could provide a more stable experience.

Excel is a versatile tool that is sufficient for individual use, small datasets, and traditional data analysis and reporting. Power BI, on the other hand, is better suited for handling large datasets, creating interactive visualizations, and sharing insights across an organization.

If you have problems using Excel, it is recommended that you provide your problem to the Excel forum, so that you will get a solution faster.

Best Regards,

Jayleny

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