Support Article
Error when trying to edit data table in Excel
SA-8817
Summary
When user tries to edit a data table in Excel, the launch fails. This was working until the recent upgrade to Websphere Application Server (WAS) 7.0.
Error Messages
Failed to Re-attach server session
Steps to Reproduce
- Open a Data table with 'Edit Data instances' button
- Click on 'Edit in Excel' button
Root Cause
The root cause of this issue is HTTPONLY setting applied to the obSSOCookie security cookie.
In the process of logging into PRPC 5.5 SP1, the SSO proxy server attempts to authenticate the user. The following HTTP request captures this activity:
The response sets security obSSOCookie with HTTPONLY attribute shown in greater detail here:
HTTPONLY attribute instructs the browser to make that cookie inaccessible for any use outside of the sandbox, while the Excel process needs all cookies used by the browser in HTTP requests in order to access the same operator’s requestor on PRPC server.
Due to missing obSSOCookie cookie, the Excel macrocode fails to establish HTTP connection with the operator’s requestor, which explains the error message.
Resolution
The recommended approach is to review SSO security policy with the networking administrators and decide whether it is possible to modify the policy and turn off the HTTPONLY mode to enable Excel integration with Data Tables.
Published January 31, 2016 - Updated October 8, 2020
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