Seeking Guidance on Securely Refreshing and Notifying for a Locked .xlsm File on SharePoint

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Posted on by CU04120706-0

Hello everyone

We are working with a locked .xlsm file on SharePoint that contains Power Query. Users can refresh data via a button but cannot view or edit the code. We want to automate the refresh using Power Automate on a schedule, send users a notification once the data updates, and ensure the Power Query code remains protected. All related files are stored in the same SharePoint folder. We need guidance on:

Whether Power Automate can refresh a locked .xlsm file and notify users,

How to keep the Power Query code secure,

Best practices for securely automating Power Query workflows on SharePoint.

Any guidance, suggestions, or examples from your experience would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help!

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lbendlin 8,716 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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It is trivial to crack the password of the XLSM file. What is so valuable in your Power Query code? Hard coded credentials with too much scope?

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WarrenBelz 155,838 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi @CU04120706-0,

Responding as no one else has - the below is from a couple of queries I did and may be useful - suggests you move the query out of Excel into a Power BI Data Flow as below

Go to Power BI Service

Workspace → New → Dataflow

Choose SharePoint Folder (or whatever source you use)

Recreate your Power Query logic here (copy code from Excel directly)

Save the dataflow

In the dataflow:

Set Scheduled refresh and frequency

Configure credentials

Create a new Excel file (.xlsx) and add to the Dataflow

Load tables

In SharePoint

Grant users appropriate access

Disable Download and Open in desktop

It seems logical to me, but I have not attempted it.

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WarrenBelz 155,838 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi @CU04120706-0,

A quick follow-up to see if you received the answer you were looking for. Happy to assist further if not.

Please ✅ Does this answer your question if my post helped you solve your issue. This will help others find it more readily. It also closes the item. If the content was useful in other ways, please consider answering Yes to Was this reply helpful? or give it a Like ♥
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