Review the update and plan any required actions before rollout.
Primary Audience
Why this score?
AT A GLANCE
END USERS
IT ADMINS
ROLLOUT TIMELINE
October 2026
📢 Official Microsoft Message Center Announcement
Prepare for upcoming changes to the Excel Exchange connector
Message ID: MC1461158
[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 earlier than Office 2024 will require an upgrade to Microsoft 365 Apps or Office 2024 to use the new connector experience.
[Action Required / Recommendations:]
We recommend that administrators begin preparing for this transition now.
- Identify users and Excel workbooks that connect to Exchange Mail or Calendar data and prepare workbook owners for migration to the new connector experience.
- Review EWS usage and determine whether any applications should be added to the EWSAllowedAppIDs allow list during the transition period.
- Identify users who actively use Exchange-connected workbooks and may be interested in participating in validation of the new Exchange Mail and Exchange Calendar connectors.
Preview and Validation
Microsoft is seeking customers who use Exchange Mail or Calendar data in Excel and would like to validate the new connectors before broad rollout.
To participate, please reach out to [email protected].
Additional Resources
- Introducing EWSAllowedAppIDs for the Final Phase of EWS Retirement
- Contact to validate new connectors.
Source: Microsoft Message Center • Analysed by MWPro
