Article ID: 2521127 - Last Review: August 26, 2011 - Revision: 2.2

FIX: PowerPivot window does not open when you open an .xla or .xlam file in Excel 2010 if PowerPivot for Excel 2010 is installed

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Microsoft distributes Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 fixes as one downloadable file. Because the fixes are cumulative, each new release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2008 R2 fix release.

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SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario:
  • You have Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 PowerPivot for Microsoft Office Excel 2010 installed on a computer.
  • You open an .xla or.xlam add-in file in Excel 2010, and then you click PowerPivot Window on the PowerPivot Tab.
In this scenario, the PowerPivot window incorrectly does not open when you try to open it.

Additionally, you receive an error message that resembles the following if the Show add-in user interface errors check box is selected:
An exception occured while calling function "ButtonClick". The exception message is:
Thrown exception of type System.NullReferenceException with message: "Object reference not set to an instance of an object."
Stack trace:
at Microsoft.AnalysisServices.Modeler.FieldList.EntryPoint.CreateNewClientWindow(Workbook wb)
at Microsoft.AnalysisServices.Modeler.FieldList.GeminRibbon.HandleLoadConnection(Workbook activeWorkbook, Boolean hideClientWindow)
at Microsoft.AnalysisServices.Modeler.FieldList.GeminRibbon.btnDataModel_Click(Object sender, RibbonControlEventArgs e)

For more information about how to select the Show add-in user interface errors check box, visit the following MSDN website:
How to select the "Show add-in user interface errors" check box (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb608619.aspx)
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RESOLUTION

Cumulative update information

SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1

The fix for this issue was first released in Cumulative Update 1 for SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1. For more information about how to obtain this cumulative update package, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
2544793  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2544793/ ) Cumulative Update package 1 for SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
Note Because the builds are cumulative, each new fix release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2008 R2 fix release. We recommend that you consider applying the most recent fix release that contains this hotfix. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
2567616  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2567616/ ) The SQL Server 2008 R2 builds that were released after SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 was released

SQL Server 2008 R2

The fix for this issue was first released in Cumulative Update 5. For more information about how to obtain this cumulative update package for SQL Server 2008 R2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
2507770  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2507770/ ) Cumulative Update package 5 for SQL Server 2008 R2
Note Because the builds are cumulative, each new fix release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2008 R2 fix release. We recommend that you consider applying the most recent fix release that contains this hotfix. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
981356  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/981356/ ) The SQL Server 2008 R2 builds that were released after SQL Server 2008 R2 was released
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WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, add the .xla or .xlam file in one of the following folders to start the .xla or the .xlam file when Excel starts:
  • <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\Xlstart
  • <drive>:\Documents and Settings\<User_name>\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART
  • The folder that is specified in the At startup, open all files in text box
Notes
  • <drive> is a placeholder that represents the system drive.
  • <User_name> is a placeholder that represents the logon user name.

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
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REFERENCES

For more information about the Incremental Servicing Model for SQL Server, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
935897  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935897/ ) An Incremental Servicing Model is available from the SQL Server team to deliver hotfixes for reported problems
For more information about the naming schema for SQL Server updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
822499  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822499/ ) New naming schema for Microsoft SQL Server software update packages
For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
824684  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824684/ ) Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 PowerPivot for Microsoft Excel 2010
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Keywords: 
kbqfe kbfix kbexpertiseadvanced kbsurveynew KB2521127
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