Forum Discussion

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,

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.

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    Not applicable
    8 years ago

    Anonymous,

    For the first computer, have you rebooted the machine?

    For the second computer, please install 32 bit Power BI Desktop instead and install 32 bit ACE provider, then check if you get errors.

    Regards,
    Lydia

    • Snoggi's avatar
      Snoggi
      New Member
      7 years ago

      Hi guys,

       

      any solution to this problem already?

       

      I got the same error and all included files are actually in the same format already.

      • Anonymous's avatar
        Anonymous
        Not applicable
        7 years ago

        Hi Snoggi,

         

        2 things helped me after all which I think you could try:

         

        1) Check if you surely not have any hidden files in a folder which you pull in to your model as a datasource. Damaged xlsxes and any hidden files can mass up your dataflow. (I had those when I tried to save a file on our shared drive and had some network error in the meantime.) Easiest if you check in your query editor the list of files so you can easily spot whether there is something that does not make sense.

         

        2) Delete the connections in your data model between your different tables, and re-make them.