Troubleshooting Catalyst Excel Files on SharePoint

Issue

Users have reported issues when accessing Catalyst-connected Excel files stored in SharePoint, especially when multiple users open the file at the same time. Symptoms may include:

• The file closing unexpectedly

• Screen flickering or jumping

• Data not loading or refreshing correctly

Root Cause

These issues are tied to Excel Online's limited support for external data connections, such as those used by Catalyst. When multiple users access a connected Excel file through SharePoint via Excel Online, the platform struggles to maintain connection stability and handle real-time collaboration.

Recommendations

1. Use Excel Desktop App
   Open the file using the Excel desktop application rather than Excel Online. This ensures full compatibility with Catalyst and improves stability for connected data.

2. Avoid Simultaneous Editing
   If the file must be shared, coordinate usage so only one person is editing at a time, or create individual working copies to avoid conflicts.

3. Check Trust Center Settings
   In Excel Desktop, confirm that external connections are enabled:

   • Go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > External Content

   • Enable options for external data connections as needed

Need Help?

If issues persist or you'd like help configuring access, please contact EBM Support.