Import data from local files using Power Query in Excel for Mac

[Inbar_Privman]

Importing data from local files using Power Query is now generally available in Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac version 16.57 (22011100) or later.

We are excited to announce a new update to Power Query (PQ) in Excel for Mac – the ability to import data from local files.  We’ve received many requests for this feature after the introduction of PQ query refresh.  Now you can import data from local files including Excel workbooks and text & CSV files.

Getting started

This new functionality is available to Beta channel users running version 16.50 (build 21050400) or later.  See this support article to check which version you’re using.

Importing data from local files

You can now import data from local Excel workbooks or text & CSV files.

1. Click Get Data (Power Query) on the Data tab
2. Select Excel workbook or Text/CSV in the Choose data source dialog box
3. Click Browse to select the local file
4. Select the data you want to import and click the Load button

Import data from local files

For a feature deep dive, see Import data from local files with Power Query in Excel for Mac on the Office Insider Blog.

Sharing your feedback

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[Sergei Baklan]

Step by step PQ for Mac is improving, great to know.

[PieterC2460]

This is very good news - many thanks indeed.  Keep up the good work!

Pieter

[Riny_van_Eekelen]

Great step forward! Anxiously awaiting the day that the greyed out menu options become available :)

[Jamesgaskell75]

I am running excel for Mac version 16.55 on a 365 subscription.  When I select Get Data, I get the following options:

• From HTML
• From Text
• From SQL Server ODBC
• From Database

There isn't 'Get Data (Power Query)' with a choice between Excel workbook or Text/CSV.

Any ideas? Do I need an add in or something?

[willdoinin]

Same is happening with me. Anyone knows what to do?

[willdoinin]

@Jamesgaskell75 

I was having the same issue but I was able to get it.

1 - I checked for updates (make sure you click on the advance button, and select "beta")

2 - Install the update.

3 - Restart your computer.

4 - It was there for me.

Hope that helps.

[Inbar_Privman]

@willdoinin thanks for proposing this solution.
To elaborate further, @Jamesgaskell75, I would suggest that you verify you are indeed a Beta channel user. If this issue persists, please send us feedback within the Excel app, so that we can get more info about your version and investigate this. Here is a link regarding how to send feedback in Excel.

Inbar
Excel Team

[Sebastien2021]

Any timetable for Power Query or data model?  Thanks!

[Inbar_Privman]

Hi @Sebastien2021,

Power Query import from local files has been released to Beta channel users, and it will be released soon to Production. Additionally, we are working on other Power Query features as well.

As for Data Model, there are no specific plans.

Inbar
Excel Team

[Colby_L]

@Inbar_Privman - I am unable to use Beta channel at my work but am very much looking forward to this feature. Can you be a little more specific as to when "soon" may be? 

Not gonna lie, I have not looked forward to an update this much in a long time.

[Inbar_Privman]

@Colby_L thank you for your comment. It's great to hear that you are looking forward to this feature! Unfortunately, I can’t commit to any specific timelines here. Let’s be in touch next month. Hopefully, there will be more updates at that time.

Inbar

Excel Team

[MauroDelrio]

but, what about the ability to load data from multiple files?
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/import-data-from-a-folder-with-multiple-files-power-query...
it's still missing from the mac version...

[Inbar_Privman]

Hi @MauroDelrio, thank you for your comment.
Currently, in Excel for Mac, it is possible to import data from local Excel workbooks or text & CSV files. Additional data sources will be added in the future.

Inbar

Excel Team

[arianalul]

Hi @Inbar_Privman - I'm using excel for Mac (version 16.57) and am unable to see the option to "Get data" from a local Excel workbook. Was this feature already released? and if so, any idea why I wouldn't be able to see the option? Thanks! 

[MauroDelrio]

@Inbar_Privman, the feature is present, but you can import ONLY one file...
there's no way to import more files, like the win version

[Inbar_Privman]

Hi @MauroDelrio, the ability to import multiple files from a folder is not yet available. We are working to introduce import from additional sources and transform data with Query Editor however there is no concrete timeline for this yet. I encourage you to follow the announcements on this portal for upcoming updates.

Inbar

Excel Team

[Inbar_Privman]

Hi @arianalul, please ensure that you are using the Beta channel and that Excel has been updated and restarted. If you are still unable to see the Get Data feature, please send us feedback through the Excel app so that we can get your version and investigate it further. Click here for instructions on how to send feedback in Excel.

[arianalul]

hi @Inbar_Privman - thanks, I am using the Beta channel and restarted excel as well as my computer. I am still having this issue. I submitted feedback through the Excel app but have not heard back. 

[Inbar_Privman]

Hi @arianalul,

Please make sure to include your email in your next feedback so that our team can assist you.

It appears you are not using the Beta channel. I suggest you verify you are using it. Click here for more information: Join the Office Insider Program.

Inbar

Excel Team

[Kanatbek]

HI @Inbar_Privman 
There's no "Check for updates" option in Help.

Version: 16.58

Thank you!

[edmondsk]

Wow, for how many years has the feature to import multiple files simultaneously been available in the windows version and not in the mac version? Why do people put up with this?

[Inbar_Privman]

@Hi @Kanatbek,

Please try to follow the steps presented in the question appearing in this help article.

Inbar

Excel Team

[SNIR_AVRAHAM]

hi @Inbar_Privman 

do u know when the ability to import multiple files from a folder will be available on a mac? 

[Gal_Zivoni]

Hi @SNIR_AVRAHAM,

Supporting the From Folder connector in Excel for Mac is on our Backlog, but unfortunately, we don't have a solid timeline for it yet.

I encourage you to follow the announcements on this portal for upcoming updates.

Gal

Excel Team

[Jachen102]

How to import a file to a current worksheet instead of creating a new sheet every time while using power query. Like the load to button in Windows version 

[Gal_Zivoni]

Hi @Jachen102,

The ability to load data to a current worksheet (Load To button) is not available yet. We are working to enable this ability, however, there is no solid timeline for it yet. 

I encourage you to follow the announcements on this portal for upcoming updates.

Moreover, I invite you to post this request (or upvote an existing request) and any other idea you believe can improve Power Query in Excel for Mac at our Feedback portal.

Gal

Excel Team

[theresacazenas]

@Inbar_Privman @Gal_Zivoni still no updates on loading multiples files for Mac? 

[Gal_Zivoni]

Hi @theresacazenas,

Unfortunately, there is currently no update regarding the From Folder connector in Excel for Mac.

Once we have new information about this connector, we will provide an update on this portal.

Gal

Excel Team

[theresacazenas]

hi @Inbar_Privman 

Any updates on when the ability to import multiple files from a folder will be available on the mac? 

[Gal_Zivoni]

Hi @theresacazenas,

Unfortunately, there is still no update regarding the From Folder connector in Excel for Mac, and there is also no solid timeline for it yet.

Once new information about this connector is available, we will update on this portal. Be sure to stay tuned!

Gal

Excel Team

[SNIR_AVRAHAM]

Is there a solution to import multiple files from a folder into Excel, perhaps through a Microsoft cloud or any other solution? If so, could you please provide details on how to access and use this feature

[Gal_Zivoni]

Hi @SNIR_AVRAHAM,

The ability to import multiple files using From Folder connector in Excel for Mac is not available yet (this connector is currently available in Excel for Windows only). It is on our Backlog, but unfortunately, we don't have a solid timeline for it yet.

I also encourage you to upvote the relevant request on our feedback portal - Importing data from Folders in Power Query in Excel for Mac · Community (microsoft.com).

Gal

Excel Team

[ashew2004]

Hi how do i load the file into my existing worksheet instead of a new one? There is no option to pick where I would like to load it. 

[Gal_Zivoni]

Hi @ashew2004,

The "Load To" functionality, including loading a query to the existing worksheet, is currently unavailable in Power Query in Excel for Mac. We are tracking the requests for this feature, but unfortunately, we don't have a solid timeline for it yet.

I encourage you to upvote the relevant request on our feedback portal - Power Query for Mac - Missing Options for Loading/Changing Query Results destination · Community (mi....

Gal

Excel Team

[Sekoleyte]

I am using Excel 2021 on Mac. And i see that i cannot get data from another local excel file. Am i right? Even in Excel 2021 on Mac, Microsoft doesn't let get data from another excel file?

[Gal_Zivoni]

Hi @Sekoleyte,
The perpetual version you're using (Excel 2021 on Mac) doesn't include Power Query functionality other than legacy connectors. Power Query functionalities, such as import from file, require an M365 subscription (Excel for Microsoft 365).

Please try the following subscription link for more information: Microsoft 365 - Subscription for Office Apps | Microsoft 365.

Gal

Excel Team

[theresacazenas]

hi @Inbar_Privman 

Any updates on when the ability to import multiple files from a folder will be available on the mac? 

[Gal_Zivoni]

Hi @theresacazenas,

Enabling the ability to import multiple files using From Folder connector in Excel for Mac is on our backlog, but unfortunately, we don't have a solid timeline for it yet.

I encourage you to upvote the relevant request on our feedback portal - Importing data from Folders in Power Query in Excel for Mac · Community (microsoft.com).

Gal

Excel Team

[Timur11]

Hello @Gal_Zivoni Gal_Zivoni, when I use this function specifying the absolute path to the file, everything works fine. However, it's inconvenient for my tasks to use the absolute path, so I wrote a macro that determines the local path where this file is located, in order to use it later to specify the path to the file that needs to be connected to and retrieve data from. But in this case, a problem arises, namely, an error [DataSource.Error] Access to the path '/Users/timur/Library/CloudStorage/OneDrive.......................xlsx' is denied. This means that Power Query cannot access this file, but all permissions are open and provided. How can I bypass this issue?