Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Score big with last-minute savings on the final tickets to FabCon Vienna. Secure your discount

Reply
LDVC
New Member

dekstop power bi doesn't stop refreshing the excel file

Hello everyone,

I’m encountering an issue with a report that I send online every week. Here’s the situation:

  1. Excel File Update:

    • I update an Excel file with the necessary information every week.
    • After updating, I typically open Power BI Desktop to perform a quick refresh and ensure everything is in order.
  2. Persistent Refresh Issue:

    • When I refresh the data in Power BI Desktop, it doesn’t stop refreshing.
    • There are no error messages; it simply continues to refresh indefinitely.
    • As a result, I’m forced to manually cancel the refresh process because it significantly slows down my PC.
  3. Scheduled Online Refresh:

    • I have set up automatic refresh online, which occurs every day at 11 am.
    • Interestingly, if I wait until 11 am, the online refresh happens without any issues.
    • But attempting to refresh with Power BI online still leads to the same problem.

Any insights or solutions would be greatly appreciated! 

3 REPLIES 3
Anonymous
Not applicable

Hi @LDVC ,

Based on my testing, when I update the excel file, refresh ends the process in the power bi desktop.

please try the following methods:

1.Create the Excel file and get date from excel in power bi desktop.

vjiewumsft_4-1712892008039.png

2.Update the data in excel file and refresh the data in power bi desktop.

vjiewumsft_5-1712892029159.png

vjiewumsft_6-1712892035706.png

3.The data refresh is successfully.

vjiewumsft_7-1712892046276.png

4.For your refresh issue, check the excel file does not contain complex formulas that may be causing refresh issue. Check if there is too much data.

Besides, try to clear cache in power bi desktop or consider updating the latest desktop.

 

Best Regards,

Wisdom Wu

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

I discovered the issue—I had two versions of the Excel file. One was on my desktop, and the other was in the cloud. Since they didn’t synchronize properly, Power BI was uncertain about which version to use. Consequently, it didn’t give an error but kept running indefinitely. Interestingly, my cloud icon didn’t show any errors either.

Anonymous
Not applicable

Hi @LDVC ,

Based on the description, try to update the latest Power BI desktop and make sure the excel file on the desktop synchronize properly.

 

Best Regards,

Wisdom Wu

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Helpful resources

Announcements
August Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - August 2025

Check out the August 2025 Power BI update to learn about new features.

August 2025 community update carousel

Fabric Community Update - August 2025

Find out what's new and trending in the Fabric community.

Top Solution Authors