The sample dataset showcases the Marks of Grade 6 Students. After opening the Excel file, a warning is displayed:

Solution 1 – Using the Document Inspector Command
Steps:
- Go to the File tab.

The following window will be displayed.

- Click Info.

- Select Inspect Workbook.
- Choose Inspect Document.

The Document Inspector dialog box will open.

- Click Inspect.

- Scroll down to Custom XML Data.
- Click Remove All.
All data connections will be removed from your workbook.

- Click Close.

You will be redirected to the worksheet.
- press CTRL + S to save the file.
- Close the file.

- Reopen the Excel file.
The warning message “External Data Connections have been disabled” is no longer displayed.

Read More: Data Connection Not Refreshing in Excel
Solution 2 – Editing the Trust Center
Steps:
- Go to the File tab.

The following window will open.

- Click Options.

The Excel Options dialog box will open.
Note: You can also use ALT + F + T to open the Excel Options dialog box.

- Go to the Trust Center tab in the Excel Options dialog box.
- Click Trust Center Settings.

- In the Trust Center dialog box,select External Content.
- Check Enable all Data Connections in Security settings for Data Connection.
- Click OK.

- You will be redirected to the Excel Options dialog box. Click OK.
- Close the Excel file.

- Reopen the Excel file, and you will no longer see the warning message.

Read More: Excel Queries and Connections Not Working
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