Troubleshooting Data Cube Connection Errors


The purpose of this page is to troubleshoot common issues when connecting to a data cube template in Excel. For help getting started with data cubes, refer to Use Cubes.

Troubleshooting Steps

Tip: Perform the following steps in order and test your cube connection after each step. If you are able to connect after completing a step, you do not need to continue with subsequent steps.

Step 1: Download the Cube Template

  1. Download the cube template (Excel) from the applicable resource page.
  2. Open the Excel file and click Enable Editing.
    Screenshot of the Enable Editing button
  3. Click Enable Content.
    Screenshot of the Enable Content button
  4. Display the Data tab, and then click Refresh All.
    Screenshot of the Refresh All button
    • If you do not get an error, the issue is resolved. 
    • If you get an error, proceed to Step 2 to continue troubleshooting

Step 2: Establish a Secure Connection to the UW Network

If you are working on the UW Seattle campus, you should automatically be connected to the network. If you are working remote, or working from UW Tacoma, UW Bothell, or UW Medicine, do the following:

  1. Connect to the Husky OnNet VPN.
  2. Test your connection in the data cube template (Excel):
    1. If the error message is still open, click OK to acknowledge the error.
    2. Display the Data tab, and then click Refresh All.
      Screenshot of the Refresh All button
      • If you do not get an error, the issue is resolved. 
      • If you get an error, proceed to Step 3 to continue troubleshooting.

Step 3: Use a RunAs Command

The "RunAs" command allows you to open and operate programs using different credentials than the credentials you use to log in to your computer. This is necessary when you are not logged into the computer with your NetID.

  1. Follow the instructions on this page: Connecting to the Enterprise Data Warehouse – Using the RunAs Command.
  2. Test your connection in the data cube template (Excel):
    1. If the error message is still open, click OK to acknowledge the error.
    2. Display the Data tab, and then click Refresh All.
      Screenshot of the Refresh All button.
      • If you do not get an error, the issue is resolved.
      • If you get an error, proceed to Step 4 to continue troubleshooting.

Step 4: Update the Cube Template

Note: This procedure uses Finance Cube FY 2025 as an example data source; however, these steps can be applied to any of the available cubes.
  1. Open the data cube template in Excel, select the Data sheet, display the Data tab, and then click Properties.
    Cube screenshot 3The Connection Properties window displays.

  2. Click the Definition tab.
    Cube screenshot 4

  3. In the Connection String field, remove "Integrated Security = SSPI;" (make sure to include the semicolon).  Do not make any other changes. Click OK.

    If you are using the UW Finance Cube FY 2025, then the new connection string will look like this:

     Provider=MSOLAP.8;Persist Security Info=True;Initial Catalog=UW Finance Cube FY 2025;Data Source=cubes.uw.edu;MDX Compatibility=1;Safety Options=2;MDX Missing Member Mode=Error;Update Isolation Level=2

    Note: You can replace the connection string in your Excel file with the one we provided above, however, you must make sure the correct cube is referenced in the "Initial Catalog=" section. Replace “UW Finance Cube FY 2025” from our example with the exact name of the applicable cube. If needed, you can refer to the screenshot in Step 7 for a list of cube names.
          Cube screenshot 5

  4. Click Yes if you receive the following warning message.
    Cube screenshot 6
  5. Click OK if you receive the following error message.
    Cube screenshot 7
    The Analysis Services Connection window displays.

  6. Enter your UWNetID credentials using this format for your User ID: “netid\<YourNetID>”. Click Next.
    Cube screenshot 8
  7. Select the applicable cube from the list and then click Finish. 

    Note: In this example we used "UW Finance Cube FY 2025", but your case may be different. Confirm that you are selecting the appropriate cube.

    Cube screenshot 9 
  8. Save the file to your computer.
  9. Open this file any time you need to access the cube.

    Note: If you receive this error when you reopen the file and refresh the data (or add new fields to your pivot tables), click OK then repeat Steps 6 through 8 to resolve the issue.

    Cube screenshot 10

Need Help?

For answers to frequently asked questions and instructions on how to receive help, refer to the Help: BI Portal page.