KB221671: The URL API parameter "excelWithoutFormatting" results in a text file rather than an excel file in MicroStrategy Web 9.4.1.

SYMPTOM
A user may want to use URL API to export a report to excel without formatting. In order to get the available export formats for the "&defaultRunMode" parameter, the following MSDL article shows that the appropriate values can be obtained from the exportFormats.xml:
https://www2.microstrategy.com/producthelp/Current/WebSDK/Content/topics/urlapi/Exporting_a_Report_to_a_Specified_Format.htm
 
The default location for the exportFormats.xml file is shown below:

C:\Program Files\MicroStrategy\Web ASPx\WEB-INF\xml\config

 
From this file, the correct value to export to Excel without formatting is:

&defaultRunMode=excelWithoutFormatting

However, in Strategy Web 9.4.1, when a user attempts to export a report to excel without formatting using this parameter, the report is exported as a text file. Below is an example of the URL API structure to export a report without formatting:

http://localhost/MicroStrategy/asp/Main.aspx?Server=localhost&Project=Strategy+Tutorial&port=0&evt=3067&src=Main.aspx.3067&defaultRunMode=excelWithoutFormatting&reportViewMode=1&reportID=xxxx&connmode=1

 
STEPS TO REPRODUCE:

1. Create report in Strategy Web 9.4.1.
2. Create a URL to export the report from Step 1 to excel, as outlined in the above MSDL article.
3. Set the &defaultRunMode=excelWithoutFormatting.
4. Place the newly constructed URL into a browser.
5. Notice the report will be exported as a .txt file instead of a .xls file.

 
CAUSE:
This is a known issue with Strategy Web 9.4.1.
ACTION:
Currently this issue is still being reviewed for feasibility by our Technology team and it is not scoped for any upcoming scheduled Strategy release.
 
WORKAROUND
Use one of the following parameters instead:

&defaultRunMode=excelplaintext

&defaultRunMode=excelPlaintextIServer