Fixing OLE DB or ODBC Errors in Power BI - Troubleshooting Guide

In this video, I review a frequent error encountered by Power BI users - OLE DB or ODBC errors. I go through the specific causes of these errors and a solution to fix them through troubleshooting issues with the data source and checking file downloads. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced Power BI user, this Power BI tutorial will provide valuable insights on resolving OLE DB or ODBC errors in Power BI or other data analytic software and ensuring your data's smooth functioning visualizations.

The error I received from Power BI after adding MS Excel files to my folder is the OLE DB or ODBC error: [expression error] the ‘ColumnXX’ of the table wasn’t found. I set up my Power BI visual to “get data Excel” from a folder to drop multiple exported spreadsheets from credit card statement reports into the folder. I got the error after downloading a report, opening it, and doing a “save as” to save it into the corresponding folder.

After much trial and error, the fix was copying the file into the folder WITHOUT doing a “save as”… This immediately resolved this error! I am not sure why this was occurring. Both files are Excel (.xlsx), and all information in the spreadsheet is the same. The only difference I can see is a slight change in the file size when “save as” was used.

Have you had this happen? If you know the cause, please share… otherwise, I hope this fix helps you better visualize your data set!

👍Best of luck with your setup!
-Steve

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Thank you!
@stevestipstechtackle
-Steve

⌚ BOOKMARKS
0:00 Intro OLE DB or ODBC Errors
1:00 Frustration!
1:15 What is OLE DB or ODBC?
1:43 Troubleshooting
2:22 My background (USC Course)
2:58 Multiple Excel files in folder
3:35 Error refreshing report
3:50 Excel Save As caused the error
4:01 Power BI dashboard overview
4:25 Power BI Relationships
5:15 Folder storing the files
5:33 Excel File details
6:55 Power BI Data Refresh – ERROR
7:25 Move the original file
7:38 Power BI Data Refresh – NO ERROR
8:02 Compare Excel file properties
9:00 Final Advice for Power BI Errors

[andress]

I have a Power BI file just like you have...only with some differences. I load each statement in different folders based on the name of the bank. Each folder is placed in a main folder and from THERE I load to a Excel file using only connections and do of lot of steps automatically using Power Query. Having this done....I am ensuring that all the data is clean and using the same format in each file's merging all together. After this is updated, ...I open my Power BI file, update and boom all updated well and perfect. I have been perfecting this system and works well.

[RamRam-ln]

Try to clean the data load cache: File -> Options and Settings -> Options -> Data Load -> Clear cache and Save the file and Load again

[milindbhende]

How to catch "DB connection Time out" error in Power Query?