If you receive an EBM Excel cube file and run into errors when trying to refresh it, the issue is usually that Excel doesn't yet recognize the file as trusted. The quickest way to fix this is to save it before refreshing. If AutoSave is turned on, this step often happens automatically. For a more permanent solution, you can set up Trusted Locations in Excel for the folders you commonly use.
Overview
When working with EBM (Catalyst, Diligent, Ontario) Excel cube files, you may encounter an error after opening or refreshing a file. This can happen with files that were recently Cube Updated, but it may also occur with any newly received or shared file that Excel does not yet recognize as trusted. This typically happens when:
If the file isn't trusted by Excel, you may see errors like these:
"Unhandled exception has occurred in a component in your application. If you click Continue, the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue."
"Value cannot be null. Parameter name: uriString"
Why This Happens
These errors aren't unique to EBM cube files — they come from the way Microsoft Excel enforces security on files with external data connections. Catalyst, Diligent, and Ontario cube files connect directly to cloud-hosted data sources. When you open one of these files for the first time (for example, after downloading it from email, SharePoint, or Teams), Excel treats it as potentially unsafe until you explicitly allow it.
Microsoft designed this as a safeguard against malicious spreadsheets, since files with external connections could theoretically pull in harmful content. As a result, when Excel doesn't trust a file, you'll see one or more of the following:
Once the file is saved or stored in a Trusted Location, Excel no longer blocks the connection and the cubes refresh properly.
Workarounds & Fixes
1. Enable Editing, Enable Content, Save, then Refresh
This is the fastest fix for a single file. Work through the steps in order:
Close all Excel windows
Fully close Excel before reopening the file — this clears any stale connection state.
Reopen the file
Open the cube file again from its current location.
Enable Editing, then Enable Content
If prompted, click Enable Editing and then Enable Content on the security bars.
Save the file immediately
Press Ctrl + S. Saving is what gets Excel to trust the file's connection.
Refresh All Cubes
Use the Refresh All Cubes button in the EBM Office Bridge ribbon. You should be prompted with the Microsoft 365 SSO login window.
2. AutoSave Enabled (OneDrive / SharePoint Users)
If AutoSave is turned on in Excel, the file will save automatically when opened. This often resolves the issue without needing to manually press Ctrl + S.
3. Add Trusted Locations in Excel (Recommended)
The most reliable fix is to configure Excel to always trust files stored in specific folders:
Open Trust Center settings
In Excel, go to File → Options → Trust Center → Trust Center Settings.
Select Trusted Locations
Choose Trusted Locations from the left menu.
Allow network locations
Check Allow Trusted Locations on my network — important for SharePoint or network drives.
Add your common folders
Add the folders where you commonly save or open Catalyst files, and include subfolders:
Once added, files opened from these folders won't trigger "Enable Editing / Content" prompts and will launch the correct Microsoft SSO login flow automatically.
This error usually occurs because Excel doesn't trust the file's source or hasn't saved it properly after being shared or Cube Updated. The quickest fixes are saving the file after enabling editing/content or turning on AutoSave. For long-term stability, set up Trusted Locations so Excel always recognizes files from your usual folders. If you continue to see errors after trying these steps, contact EBM Support.
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