Data.Source Error - is this is a bug ??

[Einomi]

Hi,

I have a folder in OneDrive for Business that I use as a source in PQ. Every week, I get 4 .xls reports into that folder via Power Automate.

I open my Excel, hit Refresh and everything comes in as it should be.

Today, I have done the same actions, did not change my queries or anything else and then suddenly, I got an error message (below) so I thought maybe I will copy the folder locally on my Desktop to avoid any confidentiality or sign in issues but still get the same message.

I opened a new Excel workbook, connected to the folder and when extracting the table from the binary, again that message.

Another important point, is that the same source is used in Power BI (through PQ obviously) and it still works as usual. 

So problem, is not coming from M, not coming from the cloud (because I changed the source to a local one)

my Windows and Excel are up-to-date.

DataSource.Error: We can't load data from this source due to its type of protection, or you may not have permission to extract data.
Details:
DataSourceKind=File
DataSourcePath=c:\users\daniel\desktop\branches sales history\ws(sh) - edg -20241130.xls

Any help would be appreciated

[hirajazzi]

I have encountered a very similar issue recently and after some trial and error I managed to resolve it.

[hirajazzi]

I have encountered a very similar issue recently but after some trial and error I managed to resolve it.

[Einomi · Accepted solution]

I had to give it a try, and converted all the files with a Python script, took me some time but eventually I can refresh now my queries.

If Microsoft decided for some reasons to stop or to make obsolete the connection of .xls files in PQ through Excel, they should of communicate

Anyway now it works

[OscarTh]

This issue likely stems from how Power Query interprets file metadata or structure in the source. It's not necessarily a bug but may be due to inconsistencies in the file or data format. Try refreshing the preview, double-check the file's encoding or structure, and ensure the data source is stable.

[Einomi]

thanks for your reply.

However as mentioned it worked for months and nothing has changed, if there was an issue with metadata it would not work from day 1 🙂

[v-saisrao-msft]

Hi  @Einomi,
Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Forum Community. 

 
The error you encounter in Excel Power Query when loading .xls files typically occurs because Excel has more limited support for older Excel file formats compared to Power BI. Try changing the file to the .xlsx format. Check the file properties for any Windows "blocked" status and unblock the files if necessary. Also, ensure that the files are not protected by passwords or restricted in any way, and remove any protection or enable editing if prompted by Excel. Clearing Power Query’s cache and data source credentials in Excel can help refresh permissions and connections.

If this post helps, then please give us ‘Kudos’ and consider Accept it as a solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Thank you. 

[Einomi]

Thanks for your answer.

I can understand Excel has limitations, but it works from November till last week, and reports are exactly the same. Actually, PQ processes faster .xls files than .xlsx

The files are not "blocked" and they are not protected by passwords, there is no restriction to edit the files, I have cleared the cache and reset the data credentials in PQ (this was not helpful, as I changed the source to a local folder on my PC and still same issue, even if I start from scratch)

I emphasize again that a week ago, my file was working great and nothing has changed not in the reports and not in settings or queries

If you have any other lead 🙂