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

July 7 - July 17 | Round 2 of the Power BI Dataviz World Championships. Don't miss your chance! Learn more

Reply
Anonymous
Not applicable

DataFormatError Unspecified Error refreshing access database table

I don't know why this happens, but I get the following when trying to refresh power query (in Excel) load:

AlastairMc_0-1649061749541.png

 

Any assistance would be appreciated!

 

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
Vijay_A_Verma
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

It means Access OLEDB connector is fine.  Restart your computer. Sometimes, simple restart of computer solves many problem. 

 

If computer restart doesn't solve the issue (and when you can afford some break in work) - Try repairing your office installation. First try quick repair (typically takes 5-10 mins), if that doesn't solve the problem, try full repair ((typically takes 20-30 mins)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/repair-an-office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b4...

View solution in original post

5 REPLIES 5
Vijay_A_Verma
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

It means Access OLEDB connector is fine.  Restart your computer. Sometimes, simple restart of computer solves many problem. 

 

If computer restart doesn't solve the issue (and when you can afford some break in work) - Try repairing your office installation. First try quick repair (typically takes 5-10 mins), if that doesn't solve the problem, try full repair ((typically takes 20-30 mins)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/repair-an-office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b4...

Vijay_A_Verma
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

Do you 64 bit of Access installed? The bit of Access Database Engine 2010 OLEDB provider should be the same that of Power BI Desktop. Either both have to be 32 bit or 64 bit.

Most likely Power BI Desktop would be 64 bit (You can see in Help menu - About).

Similarily open Access - File - Account - About Access and verify that it is 64 bit.

Both have to be similar bit.

Otherwise download 64 bit MS Access DB engine from here and install - https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=13255 

Anonymous
Not applicable

Thanks for the prompt reply Vijay.  I have checked and both Access and Power BI are 64 bit.

Vijay_A_Verma
Most Valuable Professional
Most Valuable Professional

Can you do a small experiment? Can you try this through Power BI Desktop and then see what message do you get?

Anonymous
Not applicable

I have no problem when using Power BI Desktop, only when using Power Query in Excel.

Helpful resources

Announcements
FabCon and SQLCon Barcelona 2026

FabCon & SQLCon – Barcelona 2026

Join us in Barcelona for FabCon and SQLCon, the Fabric, Power BI, SQL, and AI community event. Save €200 with code FABCMTY200.

60 days of Data Days Carousel

Data Days 2026

Join Data Days 2026: 60 days of free live/on-demand sessions, challenges, study groups, and certification opportunities.

Power BI DataViz World Championships carousel

Power BI DataViz World Championships - June 2026

A new Power BI DataViz World Championship is coming this June! Don't miss out on submitting your entry.

Top Solution Authors