Datalink not loading in Excel and VTSO errors in the Event Viewer
Overview
A registry change may be required to have Datalink load properly in the SYSTEM account. Event Viewer errors and an error when trying to load the Datalink Add-In in Excel will indicate that this registry change will be required. Below is a case example where a registry change was required.
Problem
The E-Notification system in this case was having conversion errors for E-XL. E-XLs failed to send. When logging into the E-Notification server, the Event Viewer indicated PIPC/Excel errors in the Application log.
The Advanced Troubleshooting application was launched in the E-Notification Server Manager. In the Troubleshooting window, “Run Excel” was used to launch Microsoft Excel in the SYSTEM account.
When Excel was opened and the Add-Ins configuration was opened via Excel Options, the Datalink path was showing “file:\\” in the path. After selecting to add PI Datalink from the COM Add-Ins, an error message prompt indicated that file was not found. This was due to the incorrect path.
Solution
The solution requires two changes to the registry.
The path can be edited in the Registry. Open the registry and navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins\PI DataLink.
Two changes are required:
- Load Behavior: Change from “2” to “3”
- Manifest: Remove “file:\\” from the beginning of the path.
Before the Registry Change
After the Registry Change
After the Registry changes are applied, launch Excel again via the Advanced Troubleshooting application.
Verify that PI Datalink is now selected under COM Add-Ins and has added to Excel in the SYSTEM account.
This change will allow the E-XL Convertor to properly calculate and render Excel files containing PI data.