If the Database created in a Separate File from the Dashboard

Connect an Excel dashboard to a database in a separate file

Some dashboards keep the source data in one workbook and the visual dashboard in another. If either file is moved or renamed, Excel may need the source path updated before the dashboard can refresh.

Before you begin

• Save both the dashboard workbook and the database workbook locally.
• Keep a backup copy of both files.
• Close other copies of the workbooks to avoid file-locking conflicts.

Update the source connection

1. Open the dashboard workbook. If Excel displays a security warning, review the file source before enabling content.
2. Open Data › Queries & Connections and inspect the connection or query used by the dashboard.
3. If the source path is broken, open the query or connection properties and choose the current database workbook.
4. In Excel versions that show Workbook Links or Edit Links, select the old source and choose Change Source.
5. Select Data › Refresh All.
6. Check PivotTables, charts, slicers, and key totals to confirm the refreshed data is correct.

Illustrated steps

Troubleshooting

If refresh still fails, verify that worksheet names, table names, and column headings in the database workbook have not changed. Moving both files into the same stable folder can also prevent future broken paths.