IBM Support

Excel ribbons and buttons are blank (disappeared / grey space / no toolbars or icons) when opening a data entry form in Excel - caused by Microsoft patch

Troubleshooting


Problem

When opening Data Entry from the Controller client, the Excel ribbon and buttons are not displayed. Instead they are replaced by a blank (grey) space. 

 

Symptom

From the main Controller client, user clicks "Company -> Data Entry - Reported Values". User opens a form (in Excel).

- Unexpectedly, the top ribbon part is now blank (grey space):

Controller Missing Excel Link Buttons Example

 

Cause

This issue is caused by the client device having recently been updated/patched via a Windows 10 / Office 365 update. 

Environment

Problem has been seen with the following environment:

  • Controller 10.3.1
  • Windows 10 version 1803 April
  • Office 365 Version 1807 (Build 10325.20082 Click-to-Run)

Resolving The Problem

Enable "Optimize for compatibility" setting in Excel.

 

Steps:

1. Launch Excel 

2. Click "Options -> General"

3. Inside 'User Interface options - When using multiple displays" select "Optimize for compatibility" 

Excel Multiple Displays Options

4. Close Excel

5. Re-launch Controller and test.

[{"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Product":{"code":"SS9S6B","label":"IBM Cognos Controller"},"Component":"Excel Link","Platform":[{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"All Versions","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB10","label":"Data and AI"}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
16 August 2018

UID

ibm10728117

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