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MyGeotab Error: The report template must be saved using Microsoft Excel

AHodk-1929
Original Poster

I've recently modified a report template and tried to upload it as a new report but I keep hitting the error message "The report template must be saved using Microsoft Excel".

The template is definitely in .xlsx format (I've saved using both MS Excel online and also in Libre Office -> Save as .xlsx) so I'm wondering if there is some way of getting further information into the problem with my template e.g. can you point me at the validator you are using?

I've previously has no problems modifying templates and uploading like this so any help would be gratefully received.

Many thanks

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Top Answers

EishiFUN
Geotabber

Hello @AHodk-1929​ ,

 

Thank you for asking your question in our community. The error is a validation check added recently to catch a class of templates that silently broke all dashboard reports at runtime. The validator reads docProps/app.xml inside the .xlsx ZIP and checks that <Application> equals Microsoft Excel. Both LibreOffice and Excel Online write a different value there, so both are rejected.

 

To verify what your current file contains: rename the .xlsx to .zip, open it, and look at docProps/app.xml. You'll likely see Calc (LibreOffice) or a web app identifier.

 

The only supported fix is to open and re-save the template in desktop Microsoft Excel (not Excel Online, not LibreOffice). That will write the correct appName and the upload will succeed.

 

Let us know if you have any other questions. We are here to help.

 

Have a great day!

Eishi FUN

3 Replies

EishiFUN
Geotabber

Hello @AHodk-1929​ ,

 

Thank you for asking your question in our community. The error is a validation check added recently to catch a class of templates that silently broke all dashboard reports at runtime. The validator reads docProps/app.xml inside the .xlsx ZIP and checks that <Application> equals Microsoft Excel. Both LibreOffice and Excel Online write a different value there, so both are rejected.

 

To verify what your current file contains: rename the .xlsx to .zip, open it, and look at docProps/app.xml. You'll likely see Calc (LibreOffice) or a web app identifier.

 

The only supported fix is to open and re-save the template in desktop Microsoft Excel (not Excel Online, not LibreOffice). That will write the correct appName and the upload will succeed.

 

Let us know if you have any other questions. We are here to help.

 

Have a great day!

Eishi FUN

AHodk-1929
Original Poster

Hi @EishiFUN​ ,

Thanks so much for the quick response. Yes that is definitely the problem!

I can resolve it by unzipping the .xlsx package and changing the <Application> field and then zipping the package back up. The upload then succeeds and the template seems to work.

 

Many thanks,

Allan

EishiFUN
Geotabber

Glad I could help. Thanks for asking the question here this is a good thing to add to our communities knowledge so others can learn from it in the future.

 

Feel free to reach out with any other questions you when they come up!

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