Prepare for upcoming changes to the Excel Exchange connector

New Exchange Mail and Calendar connectors for Excel Power Query will replace the current Microsoft Exchange connector by April 2027. Workbook owners must manually migrate connections and upgrade to Microsoft 365 Apps or Office 2024. Admins should prepare users and workbooks for this transition starting now. What and Why: We’re introducing new Exchange Mail and Exchange Calendar connectors for Excel Power Query. These connectors are being developed to support scenarios that are currently served by the existing Microsoft Exchange connector. The first release wave will include support for: Exchange Mail Exchange Calendar Guidance for Contacts and Tasks scenarios will be shared separately. Existing workbooks will not automatically transition to the new connectors. Once the new connectors become available, workbook owners will need to reconnect Exchange Mail and Calendar data using the new connector experience. Rollout Schedule: August 2026: Microsoft plans to begin customer validation of the new Exchange Mail and Exchange Calendar connectors with selected customers and early adopters. October 2026: Exchange Online begins the final phase of Exchange Web Services (EWS) retirement enforcement. April 2027: The current Microsoft Exchange connector in Excel Power Query is planned for retirement. The new connector experience will be available in Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2024. Versions earlier than Office 2024 will not receive the new connector experience. Customers using earlier Office versions will need to upgrade to Microsoft 365 Apps or Office 2024 to use the new Exchange Mail and Exchange Calendar connectors. Impact on Your Organization: Who is affected: Admins and users who use Excel Power Query workbooks connected to Exchange Online data. Organizations that use the Microsoft Exchange connector to access Exchange Mail or Calendar data from Excel. Platforms and services: Excel Power Query Exchange Online Microsoft 365 Apps Office 2024 What will happen: Existing workbooks will continue to use the current Microsoft Exchange connector until it is retired. Existing workbooks will not automatically migrate to the new Exchange Mail and Exchange Calendar connectors. Workbook owners will need to move their Exchange Mail and Calendar connections to the new connector experience when it becomes available. Workbooks running on Office versions […]

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