Solved: Excel Error Initialization of the Data Source Failed

Update your Excel app to match the data source

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Published onOctober 7, 2024

published onOctober 7, 2024

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If you’ve shared your Excel file but one user gets the initialization of the data source failed error, they may be unable to download the shared data.

Excel allows you to leverage its Power Query add-in feature to combine data from various sources then using SharePoint, you can invite other users to collaborate on that document and make changes. The major cause behind this error is a mismatch in the Excel versions.

If one of the users is on an outdated version of Excel, compatibility issues are likely to arise preventing you from importing any data.

How do I fix the Excel error initialization of the data source failed?

1. Download the latest updates for Excel

2. Map to the same drive on SharePoint

3. Reinstall the Power Query add-in

4. Clear the SharePoint List’s Permissions

5. Repair the Excel app

6. Reinstall Microsoft Office

You can also check whether yourExcel file is corruptedand take the necessary steps to repair it before resharing. As a rule of thumb, avoid importing large data sets in Excel as this can trigger this and thedownload did not complete error.

If none of these solutions work, consider exploringother ways to get data from other Excel files. It may not work the same as using the Power Query add-in but it can help with basic documents. For complex and advanced data, considerExcel alternatives.

While you’re doing all this, ensure you have aback up of your data. Data manipulation is a risky process and you may end up with a corrupted Excel file.

That’s it from us but do let us know if any of the solutions have helped you get rid of the Excel error initialization of the data source failed. Consequently, if you have any other tip that you think we should know about, drop us a comment down below.

Solved: Excel Error Initialization of the Data Source Failed#

How do I fix the Excel error initialization of the data source failed?#

1. Download the latest updates for Excel#

2. Map to the same drive on SharePoint#

3. Reinstall the Power Query add-in#

4. Clear the SharePoint List’s Permissions#

5. Repair the Excel app#

6. Reinstall Microsoft Office#