KB249654: The MicroStrategy Web login page appears without formatting inside an Excel export after clicking "Enable Editing" in MicroStrategy Web 9.4.1.

SYMPTOM:
When exporting a report or document from Strategy Web 9.4.1 in Internet Explorer and pressing "Open" instead of "Save" or "Save As", the report or document can open in Excel with a yellow ribbon lining the top of the document asking the user to "Enable Editing", as shown below:

Protected View This file originated from an Internet location and might be unsafe. Click for more details. Enable Editing.

 
CAUSE:
This is an issue with Internet Explorer's Protected Mode and Microsoft Excel, and not with Strategy Web 9.4.1. The workflow for this issue is as follows:
 

1. The user exports the report to Excel from a Strategy Web client machine. 
2. The request is sent to the Strategy Web server, who then forwards the request to the Strategy Intelligence server.
3. The Strategy Intelligence server generates the excel file and streams it back to the Strategy Web server. 
4. The user then receives a prompt to decide what to do: Open the file or Save the file to disk.
5. The user presses "Open", telling Internet Explorer to open the file on the remote application server instead of saving a local copy.
6. An HTTP call is made to the application server for the excel file, which is sent back to the client machine.
7. Excel is opened and it attempts to access the file on the remote server. This generates the message:
   

   
   This file originated from an Internet location 

   
   
8. Then the user clicks "Enable Editing" by pressing the button.
9. Excel sends an identical HTTP call to the application server for the file, using the same file name.
10. Since the URL to request the file was originally symbolic, that is, it does not refer to an actual physical file path, but to a Strategy exporting call, the URL fails and redirects to the Main.aspx page, which is loaded into Excel. The lack of formatting is due to Excel not supporting most HTML features, including CSS and JavaScript.

ACTION:
This issue is resolved normally by adding the Strategy Web URL to Internet Explorer's list of Trusted Websites, although this may vary based on the specific Internet Explorer security rules, Excel Protected View Mode rules, and client UAC settings.
WORKAROUND:
If adding the Strategy Web URL to Internet Explorer's list of Trusted Websites does not work, inform users not to use the "Open" option but to use "Save file to disk" and the issue will not occur.
 
Third Party Software 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.