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Read from Excel worksheet action not working

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Posted on by NT-15101604-0

I have a desktop flow that has been functioning well for some time, but now it's getting stuck while trying to read the input Excel file indefinitely. I tested it with one of the older input Excel files, which only took 5 seconds to read. Both files are similar in size, containing 60 to 70 rows. I noticed that the old file has more columns than the current one, but the reading step should be able to process the file regardless of the number of columns.

I would appreciate any assistance in troubleshooting this issue.

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Power Automate Desktop

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Inogic 1,291 Moderator on at

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Hi,

The issue is most likely caused by hidden formatting or minor corruption in the new Excel file. Even though the file opens normally, it may contain invisible problems such as broken links or damaged formatting that prevent Power Automate Desktop (PAD) from reading it properly. To fix this, open the file manually and use “Save As” to create a new .xlsx version, or copy all the data into a fresh sheet and save it again. This helps remove any hidden or corrupted elements.

Another possible cause is the “Read from Excel worksheet” action using the “Used Range” option. If your sheet contains merged cells, blank headers, hidden columns, or unused cells far from your data, the flow may hang while trying to detect the entire range. To avoid this, specify an exact range such as A1:H70, or limit the read area to only where your actual data exists.

You should also check the worksheet for any formulas, data validation rules, hidden sheets, or table objects, as these can sometimes interfere with how PAD reads Excel files. Before running the flow, make sure Excel is not already running in the background. Open Task Manager, close any EXCEL.EXE processes if they exist, then restart your computer. Run Power Automate Desktop as Administrator to ensure there are no permission or locking issues. As an alternative, you can convert the Excel file to a CSV format and use the “Read from CSV file” action instead. This method is often faster and avoids potential issues with Excel’s COM interface.

Add “Log message” actions before and after the step where PAD reads the Excel file. This will help you confirm whether the problem occurs specifically during the reading process.

Thanks!

Inogic

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NT-15101604-0 57 on at

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Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on how to troubleshoot this issue. I truly appreciate it.

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