KB43340: Exporting a report that returns no data to Excel with formatting or plain text does not show the column headers in MicroStrategy Web 9.3.0 and later

SYMPTOM:
 
When exporting a report that returns no data to either Excel with plain text or with formatting, the column headers of the report cannot be seen in the export. However, if the report is exported into an HTML format, the column headers can be seen in the HTML export in Strategy Web 9.3.0, like shown below.
 
Export to HTML format, including the headers for Year and Quarter.

 
Export to Excel with plain text or with formatting, no headers.
 

 
STEPS TO REPRODUCE:

1. Create any report that brings no data when executing it.
2. Export the report to Excel and the column headers will not be shown in the export.
3. However, if the same report is exported to a HTML format, the column headers will be shown in the HTML export, as shown below:

 
CAUSE:
This is working as designed. Whenever a report returns no data, the headers are never displayed. This behavior is consistent between all other export modes, the view in Strategy Web and in Strategy Desktop 9.3.0. However, an enhancement request has been logged to provide the option to display the headers while exporting to Excel as well.