Why can’t I import data from certain websites using Microsoft Excel?

Answer 1

Excel Versions 1997 - 2003 rely on a rudimentary native browser for external data queries which is unable to handle modern website features like Adobe flash and ad trackers. As a result, you’ll often encounter a litany of script errors when attempting to set up a link to a live external data source using this built-in web browser. While you may be able to click through these script errors and proceed with establishing the external data link, there will be times when an external data query link cannot be established due to these script errors and the Excel program may crash.

There is however an elegant solution to this problem. Beginning with the Excel 2016 build, Microsoft launched an enhanced data query tool called “Power Query” which is able to process data pulls from a websites which earlier versions of Excel could not handle. If you are using Excel 2003 or Excel 2010, you can download the free Power Query Add-In from the Microsoft office support website.