Power Automate Excel Connector Bug: An Ongoing Challenge for Users

Power Automate — previously known as Microsoft Flow — has become one of the most popular automation tools within the Microsoft ecosystem. Its intuitive interface and ability to integrate with Microsoft 365 apps make it an essential tool for automating repetitive tasks.

However, a long-standing issue continues to affect many users: a persistent Excel connector bug that prevents Power Automate from opening Excel files correctly. Despite numerous user reports, Microsoft has yet to roll out a permanent fix.

In this article, we break down the bug, its impact, and the best available workarounds.

Understanding the Excel Connector Bug in Power Automate

The Excel connector is designed to interact with Excel files stored in OneDrive, SharePoint, or other cloud storage locations.

But users frequently encounter errors such as:

• File locking issues

• Timeouts

• “Unable to read file” errors

• “The file is currently in use” messages

These errors make it difficult—or sometimes impossible—for Power Automate to process the Excel file.

How the Bug Impacts Users

This unresolved Power Automate Excel issue causes several real-world frustrations:

1. Workflow Disruptions

Automations that rely on Excel often fail mid-flow, leading to breakdowns in business processes.

2. Increased Manual Work

Since Power Automate cannot reliably open Excel files, users are forced to complete tasks manually—defeating the purpose of automation.

3. Reduced Confidence in Power Automate

Constant failure of Excel-based flows leads to user frustration and decreased trust in Microsoft’s automation tools.

Microsoft’s Response (So Far)

Although Microsoft has acknowledged the issue, an official fix has not yet been released. Users continue to search for reliable solutions while waiting for an update.

Effective Workarounds for the Excel Bug

Until Microsoft resolves the Excel connector bug, these workarounds can help reduce disruptions:

1. Use Alternative Spreadsheet Connectors

Power Automate supports Google Sheets and other third-party spreadsheet tools.Migrating your process—at least temporarily—can restore stability.

2. Add Retries and Delays in Your Flow

Adding delay actions or enabling automatic retries helps address file-locking issues.This can significantly improve flow reliability.

3. Switch to Power Automate Desktop

Power Automate Desktop interacts with local Excel files, bypassing the cloud-based connector issues.It is a practical short-term workaround for businesses heavily dependent on Excel automations.

Final Thoughts

Power Automate is a powerful and versatile automation platform, but the unresolved Excel connector bug continues to create challenges. While temporary workarounds exist, a permanent fix from Microsoft is essential to restore user confidence.

Until then, staying informed about Microsoft updates and leveraging alternative tools or methods can help minimize disruptions in your workflows.