Flow Run Fails with an Error Message on Tableau Server Linux Connecting to Excel Files in a Windows Share Directory

Tableau / Tableau Server
In Review

Created

Feb 20, 2025

Found in Release

2023.3.12, 2024.2.7

Last Updated

Feb 20, 2025

Reference ID

W-17817790

Summary

Flow Run Fails with "An error occurred while communicating with Microsoft Excel" on Tableau Server Linux When Connecting to Excel Files in a Windows Shared Directory.


Error Details

Can't connect to datasource . An error occurred while communicating with Microsoft Excel Unable to connect to the file "//IP Address/windows path/filename.xlsx". Check that the file exists and that you have sufficient access privileges for it.

Steps to Reproduce

  • Setup a Linux network share drive.
  • On Tableau Server, ensure "maestro.input.allowed_paths" & "native_api.unc_mountpoints" is configured for both the Windows path and the Linux path to the Excel file.
  • Launch Prep Builder -> Connect to Microsoft Excel
  • Navigate to the share drive and connect to the Excel file.
  • Create simple flow with a clean step and a Output to a Published data source.
  • Publish the Flow to Tableau Server. Make sure to select Direct connection for Data source.
  • Check the Flow on TS and we can see the Windows path showing as the data source location (For example: //IP Address/windows path/filename.xlsx).
  • Run the Flow.
  • Flow will fail with below error:

Can't connect to datasource . An error occurred while communicating with Microsoft Excel

Unable to connect to the file "//IP Address/windows path/filename.xlsx". Check that the file exists and that you have sufficient access privileges for it.

Workaround

Option 1

  • On Tableau Server, use webedit to Edit Flow. No modifications are required; simply republish the Flow
  • The data source location will now be changed from a Windows path to its corresponding Linux path. (For example: the path will now show "mnt/share_drive/filename.xlsx")
  • Run the Flow and the Flow will succeed.

Option 2

  • Convert the excel file to a CSV file and substitute it for the Excel file in Prep Bulder, then republish the flow. This issue does not reproduce with CSV files.
Reference IDW-17817790
In Review

3 Reports

3 Reports