Installing the EBM Excel Add-In

Why the EBM Excel Add-In is Required

The EBM Excel Add-In provides the essential bridge between your Catalyst data and Excel. Without it, you cannot establish live connections, refresh data, or leverage the interactive analysis capabilities that make Catalyst powerful.

Legacy Files vs. Add-In Approach

Installation Requirements

Before installing, ensure the following conditions are met to avoid installation issues and ensure proper functionality.

Network and Firewall Configuration

During installation and while using the add-in, Excel must be able to make outbound HTTPS requests on port 443. The following domains should be whitelisted to ensure proper connectivity:

pub.yourebmdomain.com
*.yourebmdomain.com
login.microsoftonline.com
login.windows.net
aadcdn.msftauth.net
secure.aadcdn.microsoftonline-p.com
graph.microsoft.com

If your organization manages firewall or antivirus settings centrally, coordinate with IT to create temporary or permanent exceptions for these addresses.

Microsoft Entra Cross-Tenant Access

EBM services use Microsoft Entra B2B collaboration, which means all users granted access to the system are provisioned as Guest Users within EBM's Active Directory.

• These users authenticate against their own organization's Entra (Azure AD) tenant, while authorization is controlled by EBM-managed security groups.

• If the add-in installs but fails to connect, your organization may have cross-tenant access settings blocking communication with EBM's tenant (

  TotalDynamicsSolutions.onmicrosoft.com

  ).

• Review your default cross-tenant settings using Microsoft's guidance: Cross-tenant access settings – Microsoft Entra External ID.
• Ensure there are no policies restricting outbound access, and explicitly allow collaboration with TotalDynamicsSolutions.onmicrosoft.com.

Additional Requirements

• User permissions: confirm that users have permission to load and run Excel add-ins. Some organizations enforce policies that can prevent add-ins from initializing.
• Internet connection: a stable internet connection is required during installation and when using the add-in. If your organization uses a proxy, ensure it allows outbound traffic to the domains listed above.
• Previous versions: uninstall any older versions of the EBM Excel Add-In before installing the latest release to avoid conflicts.
• Software updates: keep Windows and Excel updated to prevent compatibility or security issues.

Installation Process

1

Check for an Existing Installation

Before installing, verify you don't already have the add-in. Open Excel → File → Options → Add-ins → COM Add-ins. If "EBM Office Bridge" appears, you're already set up.

2

Download the Installer

Visit the EBM Excel Add-In download page, provide your details, and click "Download Now" to obtain the .msi installer file.

Note: if you don't see the Download Now button, ensure you have disabled ad blockers in your web browser.

3

Close All Excel Files

Ensure no Excel workbooks are open — including any running in the background. This prevents installation conflicts.

4

Run the Installer

Double-click the downloaded .msi file and follow the on-screen prompts. You may be asked to trust the publisher (DigiCert) and allow the installation to proceed.

5

Restart Your Computer

After installation completes, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect and the add-in registers properly.

Verifying Installation

Once installed, confirm the add-in is active and ready to use.

1. Open Excel.
2. Go to File → Options → Add-ins.
3. At the bottom, select COM Add-ins from the "Manage" dropdown and click Go.
4. Verify "EBM Office Bridge" appears in the list with a checkmark.

Working with Your IT Department

If you lack administrative rights or encounter installation restrictions, your IT department can assist with:

• Granting temporary admin access for installation
• Installing the add-in via group policy deployment
• Configuring Trusted Locations if needed
• Whitelisting the DigiCert publisher certificate
• Configuring firewall exceptions for required domains

• Allowing outbound access to 

  TotalDynamicsSolutions.onmicrosoft.com

   if cross-tenant restrictions apply

Migrating Legacy Files

After installing the add-in, you can update legacy .xlsm files to the modern .xlsx format using the Cube Migrator tool. Coordinate with your EBM Team for assistance with file migration.

Uninstalling the Add-In

If you need to remove the add-in for troubleshooting or other reasons, follow these steps:

1. Close all Excel files (including background instances).
2. Open Control Panel → Programs and Features (or "Add or Remove Programs").
3. Locate EBMOfficeBridge in the list.
4. Click Uninstall and follow the prompts.
5. Restart your computer to complete removal.

Next Steps

With the add-in installed, you're ready to connect to Catalyst data in Excel. The next article walks through opening Catalyst workbooks, authenticating, and refreshing data.

Related Articles

The EBM Excel Add-In is the foundation for connecting Catalyst data to Excel. Once installed, you'll benefit from smaller file sizes, enhanced security, and seamless integration with Azure-hosted tabular cubes. If you encounter any issues during installation, the Troubleshooting article provides solutions for common problems.