If you are using SharePoint on Windows 11 and find that the “Export to Excel” feature is not working, you are not alone. This is a common issue that can be caused by several factors. Fortunately, there are straightforward steps you can take to resolve this problem.
This guide will walk you through simple and detailed solutions to get your SharePoint export feature working again. Each step is explained clearly so anyone can follow along, even without deep technical knowledge.
By following these instructions, you will understand why the issue occurs and how to fix it effectively. Let’s get started with some quick notes before diving into the solutions.
These tips will save you time and help prevent common mistakes when troubleshooting the export process.
Quick Note Before You Start
- Make sure you have Microsoft Excel installed on your Windows 11 computer. The export feature relies on Excel being available.
- Verify that you are logged in to SharePoint with proper permissions to export data. Without the right access, export will fail.
- Check your internet connection. A stable connection is necessary for SharePoint to communicate with Excel.
- Close all Excel files before attempting the export to avoid conflicts.
Step 1: Check Your Default Browser and Excel Integration
SharePoint’s “Export to Excel” feature works best with certain browsers and proper file handling settings. Follow these steps:
- Use Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer mode: Although Windows 11 defaults to Edge, sometimes SharePoint works better if you enable Internet Explorer mode within Edge. This mode supports older SharePoint features like exporting lists.
- Set Excel as the default program for opening .iqy files: The export creates a query file (.iqy). If Windows doesn’t know to open this file with Excel, the export won’t start. To fix this:
- Right-click any .iqy file (you can create a dummy export to get one).
- Choose Open with > Choose another app.
- Select Excel and check the box Always use this app to open .iqy files.
- Click OK.
Why this matters: The browser and file association ensure the export file automatically opens in Excel without errors.
Step 2: Enable Required Add-ins in Excel
Excel needs certain add-ins to properly handle SharePoint exports. Here’s how to check:
- Open Excel.
- Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
- At the bottom, next to Manage, select COM Add-ins and click Go.
- Look for SharePoint Export Add-in or similar names.
- Make sure the box next to it is checked.
- Click OK and restart Excel.
Why this matters: Without the add-in, Excel cannot interpret SharePoint’s data export requests correctly.
Step 3: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
Old cache or cookies may interfere with SharePoint’s functionality. Clearing them can fix many issues.
To clear cache in Microsoft Edge:
- Open Edge and click the three dots in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear.
- Select Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
- Click Clear now.
After clearing, restart the browser and try exporting again.
Step 4: Repair or Update Microsoft Office
If Excel or Office is corrupted or outdated, it may cause export failures.
Here’s how to repair Office:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps > Apps & features).
- Find Microsoft Office in the list.
- Click the three dots next to it and select Modify.
- Choose Quick Repair first. If that doesn’t work, try Online Repair.
- Follow the prompts and restart your computer.
Also, check for updates via File > Account > Update Options > Update Now in any Office app.
Step 5: Use Alternative Export Method (Export to CSV)
If the direct export to Excel isn’t working, consider exporting your SharePoint list as a CSV file instead. CSV files can be opened in Excel easily.
To do this:
- Open the SharePoint list.
- Click on Export or Export to CSV if available.
- Download the CSV file to your computer.
- Open the CSV file with Excel by double-clicking it.
This method bypasses the .iqy file and often works when export to Excel fails.
FAQs
Q: Why does the export open a blank Excel file?
A: This usually means the .iqy file did not connect properly to the SharePoint list. Check your internet connection and make sure Excel has permission to access SharePoint.
Q: Do I need special permissions on SharePoint to export?
A: Yes, you need at least read permissions on the list to export data.
Q: What if Excel crashes when exporting?
A: Try repairing Office as explained above and disable any conflicting add-ins.
Q: Can I export large SharePoint lists?
A: Large lists sometimes fail to export due to timeouts. Try filtering the list to export smaller chunks.
Q: Does this work with OneDrive or only SharePoint?
A: The export feature is designed for SharePoint lists. OneDrive files require different handling.
When Nothing Works
If you have tried all the steps above and the export to Excel is still not working, consider these final options:
- Contact your IT department: There may be organizational policies or permissions blocking the export.
- Try using SharePoint on a different PC or user account: This helps identify if the issue is device-specific.
- Check Microsoft’s official support pages: Visit SharePoint Support for updates and known issues.
- Use Power Automate: For advanced users, Power Automate can export SharePoint list data to Excel using custom flows.
Conclusion
Exporting SharePoint lists to Excel is a useful feature but can sometimes fail on Windows 11 due to browser settings, file associations, or Office issues. By following the steps in this guide—from checking your browser and Excel setup to clearing cache and repairing Office—you can fix most common problems easily.
If those don’t work, alternative methods like exporting to CSV or using Power Automate provide other ways to get your SharePoint data into Excel. Always ensure you have the right permissions and a stable internet connection for smooth exporting.
With these solutions, you should be able to restore the export function and manage your SharePoint data efficiently on Windows 11.