Adding new users to Catalyst is the first step in getting your team up and running with powerful business intelligence. This guide walks administrators through the complete onboarding process — from creating user accounts and configuring permissions to ensuring new team members have the tools they need to succeed.
Overview
As a Catalyst administrator, you have the ability to add new users and configure their access levels. This guide covers the essentials of user creation, permission setup, and the tools new users need to get started.
Create User
Add the user account with basic information and login method.
Set Permissions
Assign to groups or configure individual access levels.
Onboard User
Send the welcome email and share essential resources.
Adding a New User
Follow these steps to create a new user account in Catalyst:
Navigate to User Management
Go to the Administration tab in the left-hand menu and select the User tile.
Click Add User
Click the Add User button in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Enter User Information
Fill out the form with the user's name, email address, and other required details.
Send Welcome Email (Optional)
Check the option to send an automated welcome email to the new user. This email includes login instructions and helpful getting-started information.
Save the User
Click Save to create the user account. You can then proceed to configure their permissions.
Understanding Login Methods
Catalyst supports different authentication methods depending on your organization's configuration.
💡 Not sure which system you're on? If you don't see any password-related options when adding a user, your environment uses Microsoft SSO. If you're unsure or need help, contact EBM Support.
Setting User Permissions
After creating a user, you'll need to configure their access. Catalyst offers two approaches to managing permissions:
Permission Types at a Glance
⚠️ "Is Client Admin" should be reserved. The Client Admin setting grants complete access to all Catalyst features, bypassing individual permissions. Only assign this to users who truly need full administrative control. If enabled, no other permission configuration is required.
New User Onboarding Essentials
Once a user is created with appropriate permissions, there are a few additional steps to ensure they're set up for success.
Welcome Email Sent
Confirm the automated welcome email was sent (or manually share login instructions if needed).
Permissions Verified
Check the Permission Summary tab to confirm access is configured correctly.
Excel Add-In (If Applicable)
If the user will work with Catalyst data in Excel, share the EBM Excel Add-In installation instructions.
Trusted Locations Configured
If the user will open, save, or download Catalyst-connected cube files, set up trusted locations in Excel — including any network locations such as SharePoint, OneDrive, or Dropbox. See Setting Up Trusted Locations for EBM Excel Files.
Training Resources
Point new users to relevant help center articles and training materials for their role.
The EBM Excel Add-In
For users who will analyze Catalyst data in Excel, the EBM Excel Add-In is essential. This tool enables direct connectivity to Catalyst cubes, allowing users to build pivot tables and reports using live data.
EBM Excel Add-In
Required for Excel-based analysis
New users should install the add-in before attempting to connect to Catalyst data in Excel. The installation process is straightforward and includes step-by-step instructions.
📁 Don't forget trusted locations. Before the add-in works reliably, most users also need to set up trusted locations in Excel. This applies anywhere they expect to open, save, or download Catalyst-connected cube files — including network locations such as SharePoint, OneDrive, or Dropbox. Without this step, Excel may block the file or disable the connection. See Setting Up Trusted Locations for EBM Excel Files for the full walkthrough.
Need Help Adding Users?
EBM Support can assist with user creation if needed, though there are some important considerations regarding permissions.
✅ What We Can Do
- Create new user accounts on your behalf
- Copy permissions from an existing user to a new user
- Process bulk user additions when needed
⚠️ What We Cannot Do
- Determine what permissions a user should have
- Make permission decisions on your behalf
- Apply permissions without Client Admin approval
💡 Requesting permission assistance. If you'd like EBM to configure permissions for a new user, please provide an existing user whose permissions we should replicate. This request must come from a Client Admin, and we'll mirror the specified user's access configuration.
Related Resources
🔧 For EBM & Blue Ops Employees
Internal User Provisioning
If you need to add an EBM or Blue Ops employee to a Catalyst instance or project, you must do so from Diligent/Ontario — not directly within Catalyst. User provisioning for internal staff is managed via the Diligent or Ontario interface.
The process outlined in this article is for adding external client users or users who are not provisioned through the internal systems. If you're unsure about the correct process, consult the internal documentation or reach out to your team lead.
Adding users to Catalyst is straightforward when you follow the proper workflow: create the user account, configure their permissions (preferably via groups), and ensure they have the tools they need — including the Excel Add-In if applicable. For ongoing user management or questions about permission configurations, refer to the detailed guides linked above or contact EBM Support.
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