Why is my data source not valid for pivot table?
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SymptomsWhen opening an Excel workbook that contains square brackets in the name (e.g., "foo[1]"), the user will receive the following error message when attempting to create PivotTables using data from within the workbook: Data source reference is not valid CauseThe cause is due to square brackets being invalid characters in an Excel workbook file name. ResolutionThis behavior is expected when these conditions occur. In order to work around this, the user would be required to remove all invalid Excel characters from the file name. More InformationThis issue may be seen when trying to open an Excel workbook from Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer creates a copy of the file in the temporary directory, renaming the file with square brackets. This can be avoided by clicking "Save," instead of "Open," when Internet Explorer presents the file to the user. Need more help?
Many Excel users are reporting there are encountering the “Data source reference is not valid” error while trying to create a Pivot table in Excel. Commonly the issue appears while opening the Excel workbook that contains square brackets ([]) in the name and trying to create Pivot Tables by using data from within the workbook. To extract data from corrupt Excel file, we recommend this tool: This software will prevent Excel workbook data such as BI data, financial reports & other analytical information from corruption and data loss. With this software you can rebuild corrupt Excel files and restore every single visual representation & dataset to its original, intact state in 3 easy steps:
Practical Scenario:Well, this is a very irritating error but is common as it is not limited to any particular Excel version. Let describe Excel data source reference is not valid error best with the user personal experience.
Anyways this is not something that can’t be fixed, check out the possible fixes to troubleshoot pivot table data source reference is not valid error. But before moving further, know what is causing Data source reference is not valid error in Excel. Why I Am Getting The “Data Source Reference Is Not Valid” Error In Excel?Well, the most common cause of the error is the square brackets (invalid characters) in the Excel workbook file name. However, it is investigated despite this there are several other culprits as well that trigger data source reference is not a valid error message. Here check them out: 1: Excel file not saved on the local drive –If you are trying to create a Pivot Table from an Excel file opened directly from the website or an email attachment then you may encounter the particular error message. As in this case, the file will open from the temporary folder and this won’t have the same permissions as a regular folder. If you are having the related scenario then resolve the Excel data source reference not a valid error by saving the file on the local drive first. 2: The pivot table data refers to a non-existent range –If the range is not defined properly then this what caused the particular error. And you are trying to create a Pivot table with an undefined range then the same error appears. And to fix the error define the range before trying to create the Pivot table. 3: The data source refers to a named range that contains invalid references –This is another possible reason responsible for the Data source reference is not valid error. Well, if the range is defined but references to invalid values, the error crop up. So to fix it make use of the Name Manager to identify the values referenced and other necessary modifications to troubleshoot the problem. 4: Excel file name contains square brackets –Well, I discussed it earlier, if the name in Excel workbook contains square brackets then pivot table data source reference is not the valid error appears. Despite this there set of prohibited characters that Pivot tables won’t support. So to fix this Pivot table issue, edit the file name and remove square brackets and other forbidden characters. So, these are some of the common reasons why you are getting the data reference is not a valid error in Excel. Now to resolve the error message, check out the possible fixes worked for the users to encounter a similar situation. Make sure to follow the fixes in the order they are presented. Here are the following fixes which you need to try for fixing up this Excel data source reference is not valid error. 1# Remove File name Brackets 2# Saving file on the Local Disk 3# Assure the Range Exists and is Defined 4# Assure the reference for Named Range is Valid 5# Utilize Excel File Recovery Tool Let’s discuss all these fixes briefly….! Fix 1# Remove File Name BracketsAs discussed above this is the most common reason that triggers the pivot table data source reference is not valid error. So, while creating a Pivot Table make sure the file won’t contain the forbidden characters. Apart from this check out the steps to modify the name of the XLSX or XLS file for removing the prohibited characters. Follow the steps to do so:
 Hope this works for you to fix the reference is not a valid Excel pivot table, but if still the error is not resolved then follow the next solution.
Fix 2# Saving File On The Local DiskYou can also encounter the error if opening the file directly from the website or from an email attachment. And in this case, the file opened from a temporary file that at the end cause the Data source reference is not valid error. Now, to resolve the issue save the Excel file to the local drive. And before creating the Pivot Table, go to File > Save as and save the file on the local drive. As the file is saved, follow the steps that were causing the Data source reference is not valid error earlier. It is estimated, you can now recreate the Pivots table without encountering the error. Fix 3# Assure The Range Exists And Is DefinedIf you are trying to insert Pivot Table in a non-existing or not defined range then this is another reason guilty for Excel data source reference is not valid error. Let describe it best by creating a scenario, you are trying to create PivotTable, you will go to Insert PivotTable > select the toggle related with Select a table or range and set Table/Range to ‘test’. And, if you have based the values on ‘test’ range and it won’t exist, you would encounter the “Data source reference is not valid” error just after clicking OK However, if dealing with the same scenario then follow the below-given steps to fix the Excel error Follow the steps to do so:
Hope after defining a range before trying to create a Pivot table, you can fix the pivot table data source reference is not valid Excel error. Fix 4# Assure The Reference For Named Range Is ValidWell, if after defining the range you are still getting the data source reference is not valid error, then the chances are you are getting the error message because the named range is referring to some cells whose values are not valid. To correct this simply go to Formulas > Name Manager and check if the range is referring to the cells that you need to analyze through the pivot table. Well, if you identify any conflicts > then use the Refer to box to make the switch to the correct value. And as the modifications are made, try to create a Pivot Table again and check if the Excel data source reference is not the valid error is fixed or not. I Hope, the given solutions will work for you to fix the Excel data source reference is not valid error. Fix 5# Utilize Excel File Recovery ToolChances are also that due to the occurrence of corruption issue in the Excel pivot table you are getting this data source reference is not valid error. So if the above fixes fail to resolve the issue then try the Excel Recovery Toolto fix any type of corruption issue that occurred in the pivot table. This is an advanced repair tool that allows repairing corrupted, damaged, inaccessible Excel files and some sort of errors in Excel. Not only this also recover the lost, deleted, corrupted Excel file data without any modification. You can recover chart, chart sheet, table, cell comment, image, cell comment, formula, and sort & filter, and all data components from corrupt Excel files. It is easy to use and supports all Excel versions. * Free version of the product only previews recoverable data. Steps to Utilize Excel Recovery Tool:Now It’s Your Turn:So, this is all about the Excel data source reference is not valid error. I tried my best to put together the working solutions to fix the error. Make use of the given solutions one by one to fix the error and start creating a Pivot Table without any error. Hope the article helped you to solve all your queries. You can read one of our previous articles related to the Excel Pivot table issue PivotTable Field Name is not valid. Despite this, I love to hear from you, feel free to share your valuable comments, queries, suggestions in the below comment section. Good Luck…. Summary Article Name How to Fix Excel Pivot Table "Data source reference is not valid" Error Description In order to fix pivot table data source reference is not valid error follow the working solutions like remove square brackets from the filename, save the file on a local drive, define named range & others Author Publisher Name Repair MS Excel Blogs Publisher Logo Priyanka SahuPriyanka is an entrepreneur & content marketing expert. She writes tech blogs and has expertise in MS Office, Excel, and other tech subjects. Her distinctive art of presenting tech information in the easy-to-understand language is very impressive. When not writing, she loves unplanned travels. Why is Excel telling me data source reference is not valid?One of the reasons the data source reference isn't valid particular error is that you did not save the pivot table to your local drive. This means that you do not have access to the Excel file locally, or lost access to it on a network drive or it you could have referenced a temporary file.
Why is data source not valid?The issue data source reference is not valid may occur if you are opening a file directly from a website or directly from email attachments. In this case, the file will be opened from a temporary file, which will trigger this issue. In this case, you need to save this Excel file to the local drive.
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