Microsoft Axes Legacy Exchange Connector in Excel Power Query
Microsoft is replacing its legacy Exchange connector in Excel Power Query due to the ongoing retirement of Exchange Web Services (EWS) from Exchange Online. The change will affect many organizations that still use Excel workbooks relying on the old connector, which will eventually lose support when EWS is retired.
The new Exchange Mail and Calendar connectors are being introduced as a replacement, with Microsoft starting customer validation and early adopter testing in August 2026, followed by the final phase of EWS retirement enforcement in October 2026. The existing Microsoft Exchange connector in Excel Power Query will be retired in April 2027.
Microsoft is advising organizations to test and migrate affected workbooks before the retirement deadline, as well as review their Office deployment strategy and confirm that users are running Microsoft 365 Apps or Office 2024 to use the new connectors. The company also recommends reviewing Exchange Web Services usage and evaluating any applications that may require temporary allow-listing during the transition.