Microsoft is rolling out a substantial update to the Excel for Windows interface, introducing a completely modernized “Get Data” dialog aimed at simplifying the process of connecting to external data sources. This move is the first major step toward modernizing the Power Query experience within Excel, and honestly, it’s a necessary change.
For anyone who uses data analysis, Power Query has always been incredibly potent. However, I would say the biggest problem was that the interface for finding and initiating those connections often felt cluttered and dated. Microsoft is promising that this new dialog will make locating and using those external data sources much faster and far more intuitive for everyone.
If you’re running Excel for Windows as an M365 subscriber, you can check this out right now. To open the new interface, you just need to select the Data tab on the ribbon. Then, you click on Get Data and look for the option labeled Get Data (Preview).
The first thing you’ll notice is how clean and simple the starting point is. According to Microsoft, the core philosophy here seems to be quick access and built-in efficiency. The modern dialog gives you a centralized view right away. It has a prominent search bar at the top, which is a massive quality-of-life improvement, letting you quickly type in the specific connector you need instead of digging through menus.
I think the biggest benefit for regular users is the structure of the new dialog, which breaks down the connection process into logical tabs. When you first open it, you land on the Home tab. This section is specifically designed to highlight popular or recommended data sources, meaning if you’re always connecting to SQL Server or perhaps a specific web source, those options should be right there waiting for you.
This lets you jump straight into your most common workflows without wasting time scrolling through connectors you’ll never use. If you need to browse the full catalog, you just need to select the New tab, which is located under the categories list on the left side of the dialog. This tab lets you browse through all the available data sources.
It’s important to note that while the discovery process has been completely revamped, the current import workflow hasn’t changed yet. Once you select your desired source from the new dialog, Excel takes you straight into the familiar Power Query import process. You’ll see the same steps you know today for setting up credentials, configuring parameters, and previewing the data.
This means there’s no steep learning curve for the core Power Query engine itself, which is a good thing for continuity. Microsoft mentioned the team is working toward bigger innovations coming down the line. We can expect upcoming improvements like modern import flows and a completely modern Power Query editor. We should also expect to see more modules integrated into this single dialog soon.
For those concerned about change, Microsoft hasn’t completely pulled the plug on the old ways yet. You can still import external data using the classic Get Data dropdown categories on the Data tab, alongside the new preview dialog.
The feature is gradually rolling out right now to Microsoft 365 subscribers using Excel for Windows. You’ll need to be running Version 2509 Build 16.0.19328.20000 or later to see the preview option.
Source: Microsoft
