Queries & Connections Side Window not opening with VBA

by

Summary

The Queries and Connections side window in Excel is not opening with VBA as expected. The issue started a couple of months ago, and the VBA code Application.CommandBars("Queries and Connections").Visible = True is not producing the desired result. The window appears to be open in the background, but it is not visible, and attempting to open it manually after running the VBA code will actually close it.

Root Cause

The root cause of this issue is likely due to a bug in Excel that affects the visibility of the Queries and Connections window when opened programmatically. The exact cause is unknown, but it is clear that the issue is related to the way Excel handles the window’s visibility.

Why This Happens in Real Systems

This issue occurs in real systems because of the following reasons:

  • Excel’s internal state: Excel’s internal state can affect the visibility of the Queries and Connections window. If the window is not properly initialized or if there are conflicts with other add-ins or macros, it may not appear as expected.
  • VBA limitations: VBA has limitations when it comes to interacting with Excel’s UI components. The CommandBars object may not always behave as expected, especially when dealing with custom or dynamically created windows.
  • PowerQuery integration: The integration of PowerQuery with Excel can also contribute to this issue. PowerQuery relies on the Queries and Connections window to display its results, and any issues with this window can affect the overall functionality of PowerQuery.

Real-World Impact

The real-world impact of this issue includes:

  • Delayed or failed query refreshes: If the Queries and Connections window is not visible, users may not be able to confirm that queries have refreshed successfully, leading to delays or failed refreshes.
  • Increased support requests: Users may contact support teams for assistance with query refreshes, leading to increased support requests and decreased productivity.
  • Reduced trust in PowerQuery: If users experience consistent issues with the Queries and Connections window, they may lose trust in PowerQuery and seek alternative solutions.

Example or Code

Sub OpenQueriesAndConnections()
    Application.CommandBars("Queries and Connections").Visible = True
End Sub

This code snippet demonstrates the VBA code that is used to open the Queries and Connections window. However, as mentioned earlier, this code is not working as expected due to the bug in Excel.

How Senior Engineers Fix It

Senior engineers can fix this issue by:

  • Manually opening and closing the Queries and Connections window before running the VBA code to ensure that the window is properly initialized.
  • Using alternative methods to verify query refreshes, such as checking the query results or using other add-ins to monitor query status.
  • Implementing error handling and logging to detect and diagnose issues with the Queries and Connections window.

Why Juniors Miss It

Junior engineers may miss this issue because:

  • Lack of experience with Excel’s internal state: Junior engineers may not be aware of the complexities of Excel’s internal state and how it can affect the visibility of the Queries and Connections window.
  • Insufficient testing: Junior engineers may not thoroughly test their code in different scenarios, leading to a lack of awareness of the issue.
  • Limited knowledge of VBA limitations: Junior engineers may not be aware of the limitations of VBA and how it can interact with Excel’s UI components, leading to unexpected behavior.