Troubleshoot MOSS 2007 Excel Services Permissions Error

Have you ever created a new SharePoint site using the Collaboration Portal template or the Report Center Template then navigated to the sample dashboard and received this ugly error?

Me too. Here’s how my team and I at Fpweb.net resolved the Excel Services Error:

1. Make sure your user account has at least read permissions on the sample xlsx file in the reports library.
2. Make sure there is a trusted file location to the reports library in the excel services settings in the SSP settings .
   1. Open Central Admin
   2. Click on your SSP Name on the left navigation (assuming you’ve already created this properly)
   3. Under the Excel Services Settings section click on Trusted file locations
   4. Click Add Trusted File Location
   5. Enter the URL to the reports library where the excel file is (http://yourdomain/Reports/ReportsLibrary)
   6. Check the checkbox to trust children
   7. Click OK
3. Try to browse to the sample dashboard again.
   

If you get the same error, perform an
IISRESET… then test it once more.

You may still be seeing errors on the page under the KPI webpart (pictured). Why didn’t the trusted file location fix this issue as well you ask?  It’s because the KPI items have a property pointing to the URL of the excel file. To fix these errors:

• You’ll need to click the ECB menu > Edit Properties
• Change the Workbook URL to the URL of the sample excel file
• Click OK
• Presto! Your MOSS dashboard is now fully functional!

I hope this helps someone out there! Please remember to visit www.fpweb.net to check out our new FREE MOSS Demo service. If you’re trying to prove to your boss that you can save the company thousands by moving to hosted MOSS environment with Fpweb.net, here’s your opportunity for a raise and a hi-five!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more Sharepoint Tidbits from the Trenches.