Data Model and Power BI connection interactions retiring in File and Media web part, embedded workbooks, and mobile

[What and Why:]

Excel is removing operations that require a live Power Pivot Data Model or Power BI connection in embedded workbooks, on mobile devices, and in the File and Media web part in SharePoint. Authentication tokens required to connect to the Power BI service are not available in the affected experiences. As a result, operations that require live access to a Power Pivot Data Model or Power BI connection will be unavailable.

Workbooks will continue to open and display normally. However, operations that require querying the connected model will not be available. This includes refreshing connected PivotTables and Query Tables, changing PivotTable fields, filtering data, interacting with connected slicers, and other connection-dependent interactions.

If a user attempts an unsupported operation, they will be directed to open the workbook in a supported experience, such as Excel Desktop or Excel for the Web.

[Rollout Schedule:]

Global: We will begin rolling out on early February 2027.

Sovereign Cloud: We will begin rolling out on early March 2027.

[Impact on Your Organization:]

Customers can continue to open and view their workbooks, and this change will not remove workbook or Data Model content. However, in SharePoint Excel Web Parts, embedded Excel workbooks, and Excel sessions on mobile, they will no longer be able to perform operations that require a live Power Pivot Data Model or Power BI connection. These include refreshing connected PivotTables or QueryTables, changing PivotTable fields, filtering connected data, and using connected slicers. To perform those operations, customers will need to open the workbook in Excel Desktop or the standard Excel for the web experience. Organizations that rely on these interactions in embedded or mobile workflows may need to update their instructions or workflows.

[Action Required/Recommendations:]

No tenant configuration change is required. Before the change takes effect, administrators should identify workbooks that their organization presents through SharePoint Excel Web Parts, embedded Excel for the web views, or mobile experiences, particularly those that rely on Power Pivot Data Model or Power BI connections. They should let affected users and site owners know that the workbooks will still open and display, but connection-dependent actions such as refresh, PivotTable changes, filtering, and connected slicer interactions will no longer work in those experiences. For workflows that need those actions, users should open the workbook in Excel Desktop or the standard Excel for the web experience instead. Administrators may also need to update internal guidance or links for affected workflows.

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.