Is support for SQL data queries in Excel being phased out?

Question

I was told today by my IT department that I'll have to stop using Excel with SQL data queries to pull data directly into Excel from a SQL server. They stated that Microsoft was phasing out this feature.

I couldn't find anything searching the Microsoft website to confirm this.

Is Excel going to have this feature/capability phased out and, if so, what is the timeline?

Answer 1

I'd ask them for a reference to where that's stated by Microsoft.

I would find it incredibly unlikely. Too many people use Excel to connect to too many SQL sources, including SQL Server.

My guess is that they are looking to implement some other change and that might block the use from Excel. OR they just don't want people connecting to the databases from Excel. But that should be fixed by permissions if required.

I don't think you'll find anything on the Microsoft website saying that, as I don't think it's true in the first place.

The Learn content pages that show you how to do this, say nothing about there being a move to remove it.

Answer 2

Hi @Colin Sachs,

Like your previous post asked about SSRS, I also have not found the docs said that the Excel will no longer support SQL Server data.

If such a big change had really been made, Microsoft would have released an official note, rather than quietly changing it.

Regards，

Zoe Hui

---

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

Answer 3

Thanks all.