Forum Discussion
DataFormat.Error: We were unable to load this Excel file because we couldn't understand its format.
When trying to refresh a report manually by clicking refresh now button on Power BI Services after upload files on sharepoint, this error popup "DataFormat.Error: We were unable to load this Excel file because we couldn't understand its format. File contains corrupted data.". There is no problem with file and before 16th June 2025, same format file is been used.
My admin ask me to raise a ticket for this issue 2508180030006077.
Hi HanafiHalim ,
Thank you for your response.
Power BI’s connector for Excel files stored in SharePoint sometimes fails to interpret the file format correctly sometimes if the file was generated by a third-party tool like RemedyForce or if the file contains hidden metadata or encoding quirks. And sometimes due to Power BI Service received an update that changed how it parses Excel files.Instead of manually opening each file use a Power Automate flow to open and re-save the Excel files after upload.Open Power Automate Desktop
Create a new flow:
Use For Each File in Folder action pointing to your SharePoint synced folder
Use Launch Excel, Open Workbook, and Save Workbook actions
Close workbook
Save and run the flowYou can even set this flow to trigger after a file upload or on a schedule.
9 Replies
v-echaithraCommunity Support
Hi HanafiHalim ,
Thank you for your response.
Power BI’s connector for Excel files stored in SharePoint sometimes fails to interpret the file format correctly sometimes if the file was generated by a third-party tool like RemedyForce or if the file contains hidden metadata or encoding quirks. And sometimes due to Power BI Service received an update that changed how it parses Excel files.Instead of manually opening each file use a Power Automate flow to open and re-save the Excel files after upload.Open Power Automate Desktop
Create a new flow:
Use For Each File in Folder action pointing to your SharePoint synced folder
Use Launch Excel, Open Workbook, and Save Workbook actions
Close workbook
Save and run the flowYou can even set this flow to trigger after a file upload or on a schedule.
pb1051Advocate II
"Use Launch Excel, Open Workbook, and Save Workbook actions" - These don't exist in Excel Online Business.
- v-echaithra
Hi pb1051 ,
Since Excel Online Business doesn't support direct file opening and saving actions, you can instead automate the file processing using Excel Online Business connectors. You can set up a flow to get the files from SharePoint. Recreate the data processing in Power Automate (e.g., clearing any issues that are causing Power BI to fail when reading the file) and save the file again in SharePoint.
Hope this helps.
Thank you
- jaineshp
Memorable Member
Hey HanafiHalim,
Quick fixes to try:
- Save your Excel file as .xlsx format and re-upload to SharePoint
- Clear browser cache, then hit refresh again
- Check if the file opens fine in Excel desktop first
If still failing:
- Try uploading the file to a different SharePoint folder
- Create a new dataset connection to the same file
- Remove any charts/pivot tables from the Excel file temporarily
Root cause: Since this worked before June 16th, likely a recent Power BI service update is causing the issue. Your ticket #2508180030006077 should help Microsoft track this.
Bottom line: Try the file format change first - that fixes most of these errors. If not, it's probably on Microsoft's end to resolve.
Fixed? ✓ Mark it • Share it • Help others!
Best Regards,
Jainesh Poojara | Power BI DeveloperQuick fixes to try:
- Save your Excel file as .xlsx format and re-upload to SharePoint
- File format is .xlsx
- Clear browser cache, then hit refresh again
- Tried clear cache, I even accidently clear all my browser history. Not working as well.
- Check if the file opens fine in Excel desktop first
- Yes, file opens fine in excel desktop and sharepoint. And seem, currently i have to open all file first before refresh on powerbi. No format error popup after it.
- FYI : file is extract from RemedyForce, previously i directly upload to sharepoint then refresh powerbi, but now i need to open file first before refresh powerbi.
If still failing:
- Try uploading the file to a different SharePoint folder
- I have multiple report with different SharePoint folder, all got same error.
- Create a new dataset connection to the same file
- Not try yet, I am trying to do dimension setting as provided by microsoft support engineer
- Update your M query to ignore the incorrect dimensions.
- Not try yet, I am trying to do dimension setting as provided by microsoft support engineer
- Remove any charts/pivot tables from the Excel file temporarily
- No charts/pivot, just data.
- Save your Excel file as .xlsx format and re-upload to SharePoint
- v-echaithra
Hi HanafiHalim ,
I hope the information provided is helpful.I wanted to check whether you were able to resolve the issue with the provided solutions.Please let us know if you need any further assistance.
Thank you.
- v-echaithra
Hi HanafiHalim ,
May I ask if you have resolved this issue? Please let us know if you have any further issues, we are happy to help.
Thank you.
- v-echaithra
Hi HanafiHalim ,
We’d like to follow up regarding the recent concern. Kindly confirm whether the issue has been resolved, or if further assistance is still required. We are available to support you and are committed to helping you reach a resolution.
Best Regards,
Chaithra E.Hi,
Not sure to say it is fixed, but yeah I am able to refresh PowerBI now.
for now what i do is:
1. Open excel file after upload it.
2. Close it without do anything.
3. Refresh PowerBI.
I have around 4-7 files need to upload to sharepoint. To open all files is time consuming because of how large data in it.
