Quick tip: Using Excel with Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Have you ever had issues opening exported Microsoft Dynamics CRM data in Microsoft Excel 2010? This can be a frustrating occurrence, but one that may be easily resolved.

The issue:  opening a Data Import template or XML Spreadsheet 2003 file for reimport fails with Microsoft Excel 2010. Basically, Data Import templates and files configured for reimport are in XML Spreadsheet 2003 format. So if you try to open an exported file in Excel 2010, you may be unsuccessful. This issue is not observed when the files are opened with Microsoft Office Excel 2007. The simple resolution to this problem is to first save the file. Once you have saved it to a location specified by you, you can then open it successfully in Excel 2010. If the problem persists however, there a few more things you can try.

The first is you can add “login.live.com” and “signin.crm.dynamics.com” to your browser’s trusted sites. In Internet Explorer, you do this by opening the browser and navigating to Tools> Internet Options from the Menu bar. In the Internet Options window, click the Securitytab, click the Trusted Sites icon, and click the Sites button. From here you can add the Microsoft Dynamics CRM URLs.

The second option is to unblock the security in the downloaded Excel file. To do this, right-click the downloaded file, and then click Properties. In the General tab, for Security, clickUnblock

The third option is to enable Protected View for files originating from the Internet. To do this:

1. Open Microsoft Excel 2010.
2. Click the File tab, and then click Options, which opens the Excel Options window.
3. Click Trust Center in the left pane, and then click the Trust Center Settings…button.
4. The Trust Center window opens. Click Protected View in the left pane, and then check the box labeled “Enable Protected View for files originating from Internet”
5. Click the OK button. 

For more news and tips regarding Dynamics CRM 2011 and CRM Online, check back soon!