Excel Export List Opening as Web Query File

Dear @Membership,

When you use Export > Export to Excel from a SharePoint list (or Microsoft Lists), SharePoint typically downloads a small file named query.iqy. That file is an Internet Query (IQY) web query, it contains connection info that Excel uses to pull the list into a workbook as a one‑way, refreshable table (not a static export). So seeing it identified as a “Microsoft Excel Web Query File” is expected behavior. Kindly try these steps in order:

1> Make sure the IQY is being opened by Excel Desktop

In the list command bar, select Export > Export to Excel.

When the download starts, select Open (or Open in Excel) from the browser download prompt. Export to Excel from SharePoint or Lists - Microsoft Support

2> Unblock the downloaded query.iqy file

Close Excel (if it opened).

In File Explorer, right‑click the.iqy file > Properties.

If you see a security message, check Unblock > Apply. External data connection disabled - Microsoft Support

3> If Excel says “data connection disabled / untrusted location”

Move the IQY file to a trusted location (for example, a folder you trust rather than the browser downloads area), then open it again.

4> Check Excel Trust Center “File Block Settings”

In Excel, go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > File Block Settings.

Scroll to Microsoft Office Query Files and ensure Open is not blocked.

Select OK, close Excel, and try opening the IQY again.

In addition, if you just need the data right now (no live connection). I recommend you using "Export to CSV"

This produces a non‑connected file you can open directly in Excel. Note the CSV export has a row limit documented by Microsoft.

I hope the information shared helps point you in the right direction. Please try the steps above and let me know if they work. If not, we can continue working together to narrow this down.

The first response may not always resolve the issue right away, but with your help and more details, we can work toward a solution.

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Exporting a SharePoint list creates a small connection file (by default named query.iqy) that is a Microsoft Excel Web Query File, not a normal .xlsx workbook. On the old laptop, Excel is correctly associated with .iqy files and has data connections enabled; on the new laptop, either the file association or the data-connection settings are not yet configured.

To get the export opening in Excel on the new laptop, follow these steps:

1. Export the list again from SharePoint
   • In the SharePoint list (modern or classic), make sure no items are selected.
   • Use the command bar: Export → Export to Excel (or Export to Excel on classic ribbon).
   • When prompted by the browser, choose Open.
   • If you choose Save, note that the file will be saved as query.iqy in the default download folder.
2. Ensure the .iqy file opens with Excel
   • In File Explorer, locate the downloaded query.iqy.
   • Right‑click → Open with → Excel.
   • If Excel is not the default, choose Choose another app, select Excel, and check Always use this app to open .iqy files.
3. Enable the data connection in Excel
   • When the file opens, Excel will show a security prompt about data connections.
   • Select Enable (if you trust the SharePoint site).
   • In the Import Data dialog, choose how and where to view the data, then select OK.
   • The SharePoint list will load into an Excel table.
4. (Optional) Save as a normal workbook
   • After the data loads, use File → Save As and save as an .xlsx workbook if a regular Excel file is preferred.
   • Remember that this export is a one‑way connection: changes in Excel do not update the SharePoint list. Use Data → Refresh All to pull a fresh copy from SharePoint when needed.

If the export still does not open, verify that Office/Excel is fully installed on the new laptop and that no file‑corruption or compatibility issues exist with Excel files in general.

References:

• Export to Excel from SharePoint or Lists