PH17055: POWER POINT LINKS TO EXCEL DON'T WORK AFTER INSTALLING COGNOS CONTROLLER 10.4

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• Hello,
  
  It seems that there may be an issue with Controller (Excel Link)
  and Powerpoint links to Excel files:
  -After installing Cognos Controller 10.4 as a client version to
  computer we noticed the following problem: We have made links
  from Excel file to Power Point.
  -Before the installation the links worked fine and we were able
  to update links in Power Point to excel file normally.
  -After the installation of the new Cognos version the links
  don't work anymore and we get the enclosed error message, when
  trying to update links.
  -This happens also with normal excel files, which don't have any
  Cognos link-formulas
  
  
  Steps to replicate:
  -double click on Presentation of Data.pptx and then click
  "Update"
  -an error will appear in PowerPoint: Sorry, we couldn't find all
  the linked files. You might be able to re-establish the links by
  clicking the File tab, then clicking "Edit Links to Files" on
  the Info tab.
  -uninstall the Controller Client completely
  -open the Presentation of Data.pptx again and click "Update"
  -it will load the Excel file data properly without errors
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:                                              *
  * All users                                                    *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:                                         *
  * It seems that there may be an issue with Controller (Excel   *
  * Link) and Powerpoint links to Excel files:                   *
  * -After installing Cognos Controller 10.4 as a client version *
  * to computer we noticed the following problem: We have made   *
  * links from Excel file to Power Point.                        *
  * -Before the installation the links worked fine and we were   *
  * able to update links in Power Point to excel file normally.  *
  * -After the installation of the new Cognos version the links  *
  * don't work anymore and we get the enclosed error message,    *
  * when trying to update links.                                 *
  * -This happens also with normal excel files, which don't have *
  * any Cognos link-formulas                                     *
  *                                                              *
  *                                                              *
  *                                                              *
  *                                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  * Upgrade to the latest IBM Cognos Controller 10.4.2 version   *
  ****************************************************************
  

Problem conclusion

• Code Fix
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  COG CONTROLLER

• Fixed component ID

  5724W24CO

Applicable component levels