What's New in Excel (May 2022)
Published May 31 2022 11:07 AM 34.3K Views
Microsoft

Starting this month, we on the Excel team bring you a regular recap of the key features and improvements now available across Excel for the web, Windows, Mac, and mobile.

 

Welcome to the May 2022 update. We are excited to share the general availability of Power Query refresh for selected data sources and the ability to change the source file for workbook links in Excel for the web and performance improvements across Excel for Windows and Excel for Mac making AutoFilter noticeably faster, for example. For Insiders, we've released an improved recommended PivotTable experience in Excel for Windows and the ability to get and shape data with the Power Query Editor in Excel for Mac.

 

Check out this Excel Features Flyer to find if a specific feature is in your version of Excel

 

Excel for the web

  • Power Query refresh for selected data sources
  • Changing source file for workbook links

Excel for Windows

  • Improved recommended PivotTable experience (Insider Beta)
  • Faster recalc on resource constrained devices (Current Channel)
  • Faster AutoFilter (Monthly Enterprise Channel)
  • Dataflow and Dataverse connectors (Monthly Enterprise Channel and Current Channel)
  • Running Office Scripts from a workbook button (Current Channel)

Excel for Mac

  • Shaping data with Power Query Editor (Insider Beta)
  • Faster AutoFilter
  • Improved Find dialog and Find All

 

Excel for the web

Power Query refresh for selected data sources

By far one of the most popular requests we have received from Excel users, Power Query refresh  is now available for queries sourcing data from the current workbook and anonymous OData feeds. Read more >

 

:backhand_index_pointing_right:Try it yourself >

 

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Changing source file for workbook links

In addition to open, refresh, and break links, you can now change the source file in workbook links in Excel for the web.

 

:backhand_index_pointing_right:Try it yourself >

 

Changing source file for workbook linksChanging source file for workbook links

 

 

Excel for Windows

Improved recommended PivotTable experience (Insider Beta)

Recommended PivotTables are now more intelligent, utilizing the same technology as the Analyze Data feature. A redesigned panel makes it easier to view all of your options, and simpler to change your data selection before inserting a recommended PivotTable. Read more >

 

Recommended-PivotTables-1.png

 

 

Faster recalc on resource constrained devices (Current Channel)

On resource constrained devices, Excel has now by default made recalculation more optimal by running calculation on a single thread. In most cases, users should see noticeably faster calculation on these devices. Note that in some cases that require compute-intensive calculation, users may want to consider overriding this default by setting Number of calculation threads to “2.” For more details, see the Formulas section of the Advanced Options page on the Microsoft Support site.


Faster AutoFilter (Monthly Enterprise Channel)

Users should now find AutoFilter noticeably faster! Improvements were made to reduce memory usage and optimize calls made by the filter’s comparison algorithm. The optimizations should be especially noticeable on low-end devices that have less memory or slower CPU-memory throughput.

 

Dataflow and Dataverse connectors (Monthly Enterprise Channel and Current Channel)

Dataflows are a self-service, cloud-based, data preparation technology. Dataflows enable customers to ingest, transform, and load data, and are featured in multiple Microsoft products. With the new From Dataflows connector in Excel you can now connect and import data from Dataflows directly into Excel. Users are able to immediately load data into Excel or use Power Query to transform the data prior to loading it into Excel.

 

Dataverse is a secure and cloud-based storage for your data. Dataverse lets you store a business-focused definition of your organization's data for use within applications. With the new From Dataverse connector in Excel you can now connect and import data from a Dataverse environment into Excel. Users are able to immediately load data into Excel or use Power Query to transform the data prior to loading it into Excel.

 

To start using these connectors, go to Data tab on the Excel ribbon, click Get Data, go to From Power Platform category, and select From Dataflows or From Dataverse options.

 

Dataflow and Dataverse connectorsDataflow and Dataverse connectors

 

 

Running Office Scripts from a workbook button (Current Channel)

Delivering on a highly requested feature to expand on our recently introduced script buttons feature, we're excited to share that you now also have the same button to run Office Scripts in Excel for Windows. Read more >

 

Adding Office Scripts run buttonAdding Office Scripts run button

 

Excel for Mac

Shaping data with Power Query Editor (Insider Beta)

We've received many requests to add the ability to transform data using the Query Editor, which would allow users to enjoy the full Power Query experience in Excel for Mac. We are happy to let you know that you can now clean and shape your data with hundreds of transformations available in Power Query Editor in Excel for Mac. Read more >

 

Image4-2048x1280-2.png

 

 

Faster AutoFilter

Users should now find AutoFilter noticeably faster! Improvements were made to reduce memory usage and optimize calls made by the filter’s comparison algorithm. The optimizations should be especially noticeable on low-end devices that have less memory or slower CPU-memory throughput.


Improved Find dialog and Find All

Excel users should now find the Find dialog in Excel for Mac more consistent with that in Excel for Windows including the option to Find All.

 

FindAllsmall-3.gif

 

 

 

 

Your feedback helps shape the future of Excel. Please let us know how you like a particular feature and what we can improve upon—send us a smile or frown.  You can also submit new ideas or vote for other ideas via Microsoft Feedback.

 

Subscribe to our Excel Blog and the Insiders Blog to get the latest updates. Stay connected with us and other Excel fans around the world – join our Excel Community and follow us on Twitter. 

 

Check out this Excel Features Flyer to find if a specific feature is in your version of Excel

 

9 Comments

Thank you for such summary, quite useful.

Every time I try to refresh I get an error message.

 

 

Screenshot 2022-05-31 135634.png

 

Iron Contributor

Looking forward to exploring the recommended pivot tables improvements. Cheers!

Excellent!  I am really hoping that these posts keep coming monthly!  :)

Good update folks

Microsoft

@Oz du Soleil Hey, it could be you are refreshing a data source that's not supported yet.

I sent you an Email, please reply with details and I will be happy to help.

Iron Contributor

So  Power Query in Excel Mac has step Icons but not in Power Query for Excel Windows - WOW,

Do we submit an Idea and wait for 1000 votes or is this in the backlog....

 

Cheers

Sam

Copper Contributor

Hi my name is Rosa and I'm using Microsoft 365.  I can't find the developer menu. I already went to File Options, there's nothing there.  Help someone please

Copper Contributor

Nice!

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‎Jun 03 2022 09:33 AM
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