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XL: "Problems Obtaining Data" Using External Data in Pivot Table

Article ID: 123836

Article Last Modified on 8/15/2005

APPLIES TO

This article was previously published under Q123836

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you use external data from Microsoft Query on your worksheet or in the PivotTable Wizard, one of the following occurs if a dialog box is open in Microsoft Query:
  • When you choose the Get Data button in the PivotTable Wizard--Step 2 of 4 dialog box, you receive the following error message:
    Problems obtaining Microsoft Query data
    This error message appears whether you are choosing this button to retrieve data for the first time, or you are editing a pivot table that has already been created using external data. -or-

  • When you choose Get External Data from the Data menu, and you have not already returned data to your worksheet, you receive the following error message:
    Couldn't connect to MS QUERY. Please check your Setup and try this command again.
    -or-

  • If you have already used the Get External Data command to return data to your worksheet, when you double-click the data on your worksheet, or you choose the Edit Query button in the Get External Data dialog box to edit the query, the query is not opened in Microsoft Query. Instead, the screen flashes, but you remain in Microsoft Excel.

CAUSE

These symptoms occur if there is a dialog box open in Microsoft Query when you use the Get Data button, the Edit Query button, or when you double-click the data returned on your worksheet to edit the query.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, press ALT+TAB, or use the Task Manager (press CTRL+ESC) to switch to Microsoft Query, and close the dialog box that is open. You can then switch back to Microsoft Excel, and continue with the procedure that you were using to edit the query.

REFERENCES

For an Overview Of Retrieving Data With Microsoft Query, choose the Search button in Help and type:

Microsoft Query


Additional query words: 5.00c

Keywords: KB123836


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