Excel blocks external data connections by default to protect you from security risks. When you open EBM cube files, you may see warnings that prevent your data from loading properly. Setting up a Trusted Location tells Excel these files are safe — eliminating warnings and ensuring your cube connections work every time. This is a one-time setup that takes about 2 minutes.
Why This Matters
EBM Excel files connect to external data sources (Analysis Services cubes) to deliver live, refreshable reports. By default, Excel blocks these connections and displays security warnings because it doesn't know if the source is safe. Without a Trusted Location configured, you'll encounter repeated interruptions and potential data refresh failures.
What Triggers These Warnings?
Excel uses a security feature called the Mark of the Web (MOTW) to identify files downloaded from the internet or external sources. Files with this mark are treated as potentially unsafe, and their data connections are blocked until you tell Excel they're trusted.
Setting Up a Trusted Location
Creating a Trusted Location is a one-time setup. Once complete, any EBM files saved in that folder will open without security warnings and connect to data automatically.
Open Excel Options
In Excel, go to File → Options. This opens the Excel Options dialog where you'll configure security settings.
Navigate to Trust Center
Select Trust Center from the left-hand menu, then click the Trust Center Settings... button.
Open Trusted Locations
In the Trust Center window, select Trusted Locations from the left menu. Click Add new location... at the bottom.
Configure the Folder
Click Browse and select the folder where you store your EBM Excel files (for example, Documents\EBM Files).
✅ Check these important options:
- Subfolders of this location are also trusted — includes all subfolders.
- Allow Trusted Locations on my network — required for SharePoint, OneDrive, or network drives.
Save and Test
Click OK to save the location, then OK again to close Trust Center, and OK to exit Excel Options. Move your EBM files to this folder and reopen them — no more warnings.
Network and Cloud Locations
If your EBM files are stored on a network drive, SharePoint, or OneDrive, additional configuration is required.
📁 Network locations require an extra step. By default, Excel doesn't allow network paths as Trusted Locations. Before adding your network folder, check the box labeled "Allow Trusted Locations on my network (not recommended)" at the bottom of the Trusted Locations settings.
OneDrive and SharePoint Considerations
OneDrive and SharePoint files can be tricky because Excel sometimes sees them as coming from two different paths: the web URL and the local synced folder. Both paths may need to be trusted.
💡 Pro tip: enable trusted documents on a network. In Trust Center, go to Trusted Documents and check "Allow documents on a network to be trusted". This helps with OneDrive files that Excel treats as network locations.
Alternative: Unblock Individual Files
If you only need to trust a single file (rather than a whole folder), you can remove the "Mark of the Web" from that specific file. This is useful for one-off situations.
Additional Trust Center Settings
Beyond Trusted Locations, other Trust Center settings can affect how EBM files behave. Here's what else you should review.
External Content Settings
Navigate to File → Options → Trust Center → Trust Center Settings → External Content.
⚠️ Not recommended: "Enable all Data Connections." While this option will eliminate warnings, it's a security risk because it allows connections from any file, not just trusted ones. Use Trusted Locations instead for a secure solution.
Troubleshooting
Warnings Still Appear After Setup
If you've configured a Trusted Location but warnings keep appearing, work through these checks in order.
Settings Are Greyed Out
If Trust Center settings are greyed out and you can't change them, your organization's IT department has likely enforced security policies via Group Policy. Contact your IT administrator to request the appropriate settings be enabled for EBM files.
Unblock Checkbox Not Visible
The Unblock checkbox only appears when a file has the "Mark of the Web" attribute. If you don't see it:
- The file may have been created locally (not downloaded).
- Your organization may have a policy that strips the mark automatically.
-
Use PowerShell instead:
Unblock-File -Path "C:\path\to\file.xlsx"
Network Path Rejected
If Excel says "The path you have entered cannot be used as a Trusted Location for security reasons":
- First, check "Allow Trusted Locations on my network" at the bottom of Trusted Locations.
-
Try using the UNC path format:
\\servername\share\folderinstead of a mapped drive letter.
- For some network drives, you may also need to add the server to Windows Trusted Sites (Control Panel → Internet Options → Security → Trusted Sites).
Quick Reference
Three ways to handle EBM file security, depending on your situation:
Trusted Location
Best for folders with multiple EBM files you use regularly.
Unblock File
Best for single files you've downloaded once.
Enable Content
Best for one-time access when prompted.
Related Articles
Setting up a Trusted Location is essential for a smooth experience with EBM Excel cube files. This one-time configuration tells Excel that your EBM files are safe, eliminating security warnings and ensuring your data connections work reliably. If you continue to experience issues after following these steps, or if settings are locked by your organization, contact your IT department or EBM Support for assistance.
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