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Anonymous's avatar
Anonymous
Not applicable
8 years ago

OLE DB or ODBC Error: [DataFormat.Error] External table is not in the expected format...

Hi All,   I have been using a pbix for monthly reporting. I add excel files on a monthly basis to a folder and combine them to generate the required figures and chart. Today I got the error message...
Need Help
Anonymous's avatar
Anonymous
Not applicable
8 years ago

Anonymous,

How about you re-connect to the folder in a new Power BI Desktop file?

Also please directly open the Excel file, check if you get restricted Access message, and check if the sheets are locked. Based on my research, the above error could occur due to the two aspects.

Regards,
Lydia

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    Not applicable
    8 years ago

    Thanks for the answer. None of the files are restricted and none of them have locked sheets.

    I tried to re-load the folder in a new Power BI Desktop file (on another laptop) and had the following error:

     

    "Failed to save modifications to the server. Error returned: OLE DB or ODBC error: [DataSource.NotFound] Excel Workbook: The 'Microsoft.ACE.OLEFB.12.0' provider is not registered on the local machine. The 64 bit Database Engine OLEDB provider may be required to read ...xlsx. To download the client software... etc."

     

    I will get it installed today with our IT department and see if that helps, however I have it on my home pc and the file does not work there either.

    • Anonymous's avatar
      Anonymous
      Not applicable
      8 years ago

      Anonymous,

      Do you use 64 bit or 32 bit Power BI Desktop? Ensure that you install the correct version of Database Engine OLEDB provider, and the version matches Power BI Desktop.

      In your scenario, uninstall Database Engine OLEDB provider, reboot machine,re-install Database Engine OLEDB provider. then check if the error still occurs.

      Regards,
      Lydia

      • Anonymous's avatar
        Anonymous
        Not applicable
        8 years ago

        I am trying to solve this problem on 2 computers at the same time (as I am waiting for IT to resolve my ticket on my corporate laptop.)

         

        Computer (1) (home PC) I have x64 Office, x64 Power BI and x64 OLEDB provider. Still, I receive the error that the external table is not in the expected format.

        I re-installed as you suggested and it did not worked.

         

        Computer (2) (corporate laptop) I have x32 Office, x64 Power BI and no OLEDB provider (I guess 32 bit by default - waiting for IT to install it). I receive the error message to install the x64 OLEDB provider, but I guess I won't be able to do that as there is x64 Office.

         

        Data refreshing and Power BI in general worked perfectly on both machines with the current setup until the day before yesterday for months.