The Exchange Online connector in Excel Power Query is being retired. The connector relies on Exchange Web Services (EWS), which is being retired in Exchange Online.
Microsoft is introducing new connectors based on Microsoft Graph to support scenarios currently served by the existing connector. The new Mail connector will be available first, with guidance for other scenarios provided as plans are finalized.
What is changing?
The Exchange Online connector in Excel Power Query is planned for retirement in April 2027.
Existing workbooks won't automatically transition to the new connectors. When a new connector that supports your scenario becomes available, you'll need to reconnect your data using the new connector experience.
For example, if your workbook currently uses the Exchange Online connector to retrieve mail data, you'll need to reconnect that data using the new Mail connector when it becomes available.
When is this happening?
The transition is being introduced in stages:
- October 2026: Exchange Online begins phased EWS disablement.
- April 2027: EWS is fully disabled in Exchange Online, and the current Exchange Online connector in Excel Power Query is planned for retirement.
The Mail connector will be available first. Guidance for other scenarios will be provided as plans are finalized.
What do I need to do?
If you use the Exchange Online connector in Excel Power Query, we recommend preparing for the transition:
- Identify affected workbooks. Find workbooks that use the Exchange Online connector, particularly those used for recurring reports, operational processes, or data refresh.
- Plan to reconnect your data. Existing connections won't automatically migrate. When a new connector supporting your scenario becomes available, you'll need to recreate the connection using the new connector.
- Check your version of Excel. The new connector experience will be available in Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2024. If you're using an earlier version of Office, you'll need to upgrade to use the new connectors.
Information for IT administrators
Administrators should identify users and workbooks that depend on the Exchange Online connector and prepare workbook owners for the transition.
We recommend that administrators:
- Identify affected Excel workbooks and their owners.
- Review EWS usage within the organization.
- Prepare workbook owners to move to the new connectors as they become available.
- Verify that affected users are running Microsoft 365 Apps or Office 2024.
During the transition, administrators may also need to review their organization's EWS configuration to maintain access for required applications. For additional details and guidance, refer to the blog post Introducing EWSAllowedAppIDs: Preparing for the Final Phase of EWS Retirement.
Preview and validation
Microsoft is working with customers and early adopters to validate the new connector experience before broad rollout.
If your organization uses Exchange Online data in Excel Power Query and would like to help validate the new connectors, contact excelexchangemigration@microsoft.com.
Frequently asked questions
Will my existing queries automatically migrate?
No. Existing workbooks and queries won't automatically transition to the new connectors. You'll need to reconnect your data using a new connector that supports your scenario.
Will my existing workbook stop working immediately?
No. Existing workbooks can continue using the current connector while it remains supported, subject to EWS availability and your organization's EWS configuration.
Because phased EWS disablement begins before the planned retirement of the Excel connector, your IT administrator may need to take action to maintain EWS access during the transition. For details, see Information for IT administrators.
Which new connector will be available first?
The Mail connector will be available first. Guidance for other scenarios currently supported by the Exchange Online connector will be provided as plans are finalized.
What about Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks data?
Guidance for other scenarios currently supported by the Exchange Online connector will be provided as plans are finalized.
Why do I need to reconnect my data?
The new connectors use Microsoft Graph instead of EWS and don't automatically replace existing Power Query queries created with the Exchange Online connector.
Do the new connectors work with older versions of Office?
The new connector experience will be available in Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2024. Office versions earlier than Office 2024 won't receive the new connector experience.
Learn more
For more information about EWS retirement, see Deprecation of Exchange Web Services in Exchange Online.