I try to create a pivot-table using an "External Data Source" in Excel and
the app hangs when attempting to lauch MS Query. As it hangs indefinitely,
the only way out is to kill MS Query... I've tried reinstalling Excel but
that didn't help.

Does anyone know what causes this problem?

As Ken says, it's likely to be a connection error which unfortunately
can be cuaed by many things form incorrect Data Source settings on the
machine to a loose cable!

If you let it 'hang' long enough, it should eventually time out and
give an error message which might lend some clue as to where it fails.

Sorry, Richard - you're not Ken!

Note to self: Use 'preview' button before posting...

Thanks for the input guys. Actually, I've tried to let it hang for a while
now and nothing's happened (1 hour). In response to Parsnip, this has nothing
to do with the data source, since the problem happens before I can even
specify what that data source is.

I will let it hang so more and see what happens.


"JakeyC" wrote:

Sorry, Richard - you're not Ken!

Note to self: Use 'preview' button before posting...

An hour is long enough! If it won't let you even get to the first step
of specifying a source then I'm afraid I'm out of ideas (and my depth).