KB18405: When HTTP compression is enabled, an error occurs when opening a Microsoft Excel export from MicroStrategy Web 10.x

• Strategy

If HTTP compression is enabled so that the Microsoft Excel MIME type is encoded with gzip, an error will be thrown when opening the file in Microsoft Excel after exporting. The error depends on whether client-side caching is enabled or not.

SYMPTOM
If HTTP compression is enabled so that the Microsoft Excel MIME type is encoded with gzip, an error will be thrown when opening the file in Microsoft Excel after exporting. The error depends on whether client-side caching is enabled or not.
With caching allowed, the following warning appears:


xxxx.xls is locked for editing
by 'xxxxx'.

Open 'Read-Only' or, click 'Notify' to open read-only and receive notification when the document is no longer in use.

If caching is disabled, this error appears:


Could not open 'http://xxxx'.

Followed by this:


Microsoft Office Excel cannot access the file 'http://xxxx'. There are several possible reasons:

- The file name or path does not exist.
- The file is being used by another program.
- The workbook you are trying to save has the same name as a currently open workbook.

CAUSE
This behavior is caused by the interaction between the browser, Microsoft Excel, and the HTTP compression. When a Microsoft Excel file is compressed, it must be stored in the browser cache to be uncompressed. When caching is disabled, the exported Microsoft Excel file cannot be opened.
With caching allowed, the Microsoft Excel file can be uncompressed and opened. However, because the browser cache is also using the file, the 'File in use' warning appears.

ACTION
It is recommended that the Microsoft Excel MIME type (application/vnd.ms-excel) be excluded from HTTP compression to avoid these issues.

Third Party Software Installation:
WARNING:
The third-party product(s) discussed in this technical note is manufactured by vendors independent of Strategy. Strategy makes no warranty, express, implied or otherwise, regarding this product, including its performance or reliability.
18405

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Knowledge Article

Published:

June 21, 2017

Last Updated:

November 19, 2019

Microsoft Office Excel cannot access the file 'http://xxxx'. There are several possible reasons: - The file name or path does not exist. - The file is being used by another program. - The workbook you are trying to save has the same name as a currently open workbook.