# How to fix "DataSource.Error Access to the path '/yourpath.csv' is denied error" in macOS Excel Power Query

<img width="560" alt="excel error box: [DataSource.Error] Access to the path '/Users/dan/Dropbox/mybook/mydata.csv' is denied." src="https://gist.github.com/user-attachments/assets/35694df6-ecc2-4dd2-b94f-a2dcbc15f040" />


One of the most incomprehensible errors I have ever run into, with Microsoft forums and ChatGPT/Claude being almost totally useless. Hopefully anyone else running into this situation will come across this gist and save themselves hours of frustration.

Huge thanks to [Mr. Excel for the solution](https://youtu.be/chBlyDrejHo?si=JoWYoPGkQSE24_fN&t=369), with a major assist by [r/excel](https://www.reddit.com/r/excel/comments/17euyxj/datasourceerror_mac_powerquery_driving_me_nuts/)

## Background

<img width="698" alt="power query editor error [DataSource.Error] Access to the path '/Users/dan/Dropbox/mybook/mydata.csv' is denied." src="https://gist.github.com/user-attachments/assets/56941b26-5f59-4f02-a868-2d123a081888" />

So you're trying to use macOS Excel's Power Query Editor to load an external file from disk, e.g. `/Users/dan/Dropbox/mybook/mydata.csv`, only to get this error:

```
• [DataSource.Error] Access to the path '/Users/dan/Dropbox/mybook/mydata.csv' is denied.
   Details 
     isRecoverable: True
     isExpected: True
```

I ran into this error when saving a workbook on Dropbox, and then trying to open and work on it from a different laptop. Opening the Excel workbook was fine, the error message came from the Power Query command that imported the CSV, e.g.

```pq
let
  Source = Csv.Document(
      File.Contents("/Users/dan/Dropbox/mybook/mydata.csv"), 
      [Delimiter = ",", Columns = 2, QuoteStyle = QuoteStyle.None]
  )
in
  Source
```

The computer that originally created and saved the workbook had no problems re-opening the book and working with the Power Query command. The other laptop just utterly refused to open the CSV. Even after granting Full Disk Access via macOS Settings » Privacy and Security options.


## Solution

tl;dr: Have Excel ask you to grant access to that file. But since Excel (in my experience) won't even know to do that, you can force it to with a simple VB command referencing the file path.

### 1. Force Excel to ask for access privileges by executing VB code that refers to the file path

Go to the Microsoft Visual Basic editor inside of Excel (i.e. Developer ribbon » Visual Basic)

<img width="814" alt="excel screenshot of VB editor" src="https://gist.github.com/user-attachments/assets/f5637c1a-2a58-4b25-97c7-17595bed357e" />

Then open up the "Immediate" code window, i.e. **View » Immediate Window** or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl-Cmd-G.

Enter, then execute following benign code which simply tries to print the directory of the data file via a message alert box:

*(obviously, replace with the absolute path to the file you're trying to access)*

````vb
MsgBox Dir("/Users/dan/Dropbox/mybook/mydata.csv")
````
<img width="669" alt="image" src="https://gist.github.com/user-attachments/assets/4a5871dd-b5a8-42ff-b27c-097132a48970" />

Executing that line of code will bring up a dialog box asking you to manually grant access to the given file.

> Additional permissions are required to access the following files:
> /Users/dan/Dropbox/mybook/mydata.csv
> Microsoft Excel  needs access to the file named "mydata.csv". Select the item to grant access.

<img width="639" alt="image" src="https://gist.github.com/user-attachments/assets/af6557d1-a3b4-4201-b62a-8dd09d998971" />

Select the file and grant access: 

<img width="597" alt="image" src="https://gist.github.com/user-attachments/assets/4b8d0c4e-b0ca-4114-94d4-95b362696f70" />

It will likely ask you to grant access to the enclosing folder, so do that too:

<img width="453" alt="image" src="https://gist.github.com/user-attachments/assets/d178d477-fcd3-45a0-9cf0-7f1880f2862e" />

The `MsgBox` command should successfully execute:

<img width="857" alt="image" src="https://gist.github.com/user-attachments/assets/cb0133a1-a613-40b7-b94e-b2483c0650ea" />

Save, and restart Excel. You should be good to go.

**Note:** You have to completely exit out of Excel, not just close the file. 


### Also: Enable "Allow combining data from multiple sources"

You already need to do this step anyway, whether you're on macOS or Windows: 

In the Power Query Editor » Options » **Privacy**, be sure to enable the option that says:

> Allow combining data from multiple sources. This could expose sensitive or confidential data to an unauthorized person. 

<img width="637" alt="image" src="https://gist.github.com/user-attachments/assets/ca6060d2-4274-48dc-a916-25185d73e0a7" />


## References

- [MrExcel.com Excel for Mac - Power Query Three Missing Connector Workarounds - Episode 2597](https://youtu.be/chBlyDrejHo?si=JoWYoPGkQSE24_fN&t=369) (6 minute mark)
- r/excel: [DataSource.Error (mac, powerquery) driving me nuts](https://www.reddit.com/r/excel/comments/17euyxj/datasourceerror_mac_powerquery_driving_me_nuts/)