Excel data model refresh corrupting the data model

[Alan_]

I refresh a number of excel data models using the power bi service. 

As of this week, after the refresh, the model is broken. The result is the workbook crashes (completely closes excel without any error message) when I either try open power pivot or try to open power query on a workbook that has been refreshed via the service. 

[Anonymous]

@Anonymous  - There is currently no workaround.  You have to restore a Version of the file (if it lives on Sharepoint under Version History) to when before the issue came up and then you have to manually refresh the file in the Excel App (not Excel Online).

There is supposed a fix coming at the end of this Month to fix it.  We will not see it live until the week of July 4th to test.

[MattyH]

I have only a few work arounds. I have gone with option 2 and in some cases, option 3.

1. Ony use spreadsheet in Excel Online, refresh still works ok and dont touch corrupted Excel Desktop until MS fix.

2. Only use Excel Desktop, refresh in client only and make sure no-one refreshes online 

3. Rebuild your spreadsheet without a data model, using a flat table created from formulas and summarise in a  classic pivot. 

[Anonymous]

@MattyH  - I wasn't aware of option 1 being a workaround. I know I tried to refresh using Excel Online like ctops did and it never actually finishes a refresh.   However if the file is still connected to Power BI Service to refresh, the data still refreshes fine and you can use the file in Excel Online just fine, you just cannot use the Excel App to open the file and expect it to work since Slicers crashes it.

Option 2 and 3 are the only options in addtion to just manually refreshing the file locally in Excel and as you said no one refreshes it using Excel Online.

I appreciate the feedback!

[Anonymous]

@Anonymous Thanks, I was able to pull old version of the file from my drive, then I was able to manually refresh it.

I think I would really need to wait for the fix, I can replace the file with my new modification but this would take time as the file is connected to multiple power automate flows.

@MattyH Thanks for the info, I wasnt able to do option 2 as this will break other rules setup for my report. Option 3 seems quite a difficult task as it will involve replacing all my integration files into offline version.

Anyway, thanks for this info, appreciate the help, hope microsoft able to fix this, thanks.

[Leione]

My files have returned to normal after refresh by the power bi service 2 hours ago，I think this issue has been fixed

[MattyH]

I can confirm that Online refresh isn't corrupting my spreadsheets when I use them in the client.

Also, running a new Online refresh of previously corrupted files now  appears to fix them 🙂

[Anonymous]

@Leione Same here, Today, I download the file from power bi service, and everything is normal.

[mschriever]

Also just to inform that I got the message of our users that everything is working fine now!

[Alan_]

Just to confirm all is working again. Thank you for your help @Anonymous 

[Anonymous]

Same here everyone!  Everything was back to normal as of Monday morning for me when I saw the various messages over the weekend.

My Microsoft support rep also contacted me to let me know the internal ticket on this specified that the fix should be deployed as of now (which it is).