Excel Web Queries Broken

[EyeSore]

Excel (versions 2007 – 2010 tested on WIN7) no longer are able to perform web queries. This has been broken since about Nov 2014. I have tested queries on multiple machines including machines maintained by others.

Simple queries return, a script error when the webpage is opened,
Script Error
An error has occurred in the script on this page.
Line: 1
Char : 198
Error: Not implemented
Code: 0
URL: http://www.bing.com/sa/8_01_2_3980424/UpdateDefaults.js
Do you want to continue running scripts on this page?

If I manually respond to the questions, the next message,
Warning
This document contains embedded content that may be harmful to your computer.
Choose from one of the following options:
• Do not allow content to play (Recommended)
• I recognize this content. Allow it to play.

If I continue manually answer the questions a query is imported but results in message,
The file could not be accessed. Try one of the following: …

Most web pages cause these types of error. If I open the same webpage using IE-11, etc., I get no errors. I have searched on the web and am not seeing a solution. It almost seems like few people use web queries.

Help solving restoring Excel web queries would be appreciated. Alternatives to Excel will be considered.

 

[DelJo63]

Can you be more precise; Is this just accessing some URL in the spreadsheet OR is it the OBDC data mapping pulling external data (and if so, is a mapping of a local file, a network share or omg, truly internet data somewhere in the world)?

 

[EyeSore]

All URLS seem to be broken. I use web queries for accessing stock data. You can try this specific URL.

http://finance.yahoo.com/quotes/AAPL,MSFT

This will list AAPL and MSFT stock values. Try selecting and importing stock values. This does not work for Excel 2007 or 2010. I get the webpage, the warning, and a script error, when setup this query.

 

[DelJo63]

Simple queries return, a script error when the webpage is opened,
Script Error
An error has occurred in the script on this page.
Line: 1
Char : 198
Error: Not implemented
Code: 0
URL: http://www.bing.com/sa/8_01_2_3980424/UpdateDefaults.js

Did you notice: this is BING getting in the way?

I assume you just place the full url (http://finance.yahoo.com/quotes/AAPL,MSFT) into the spreadsheet as a link

 

[EyeSore]

Correct. Did you test it?

 

[DelJo63]

YES - - works for me but notice:

• I disallow BING from all browers
• I am using OpenOffice 4.1.1

Did you try accessing the broken javascript (ie the cause of the error)

• Placing http://www.bing.com/sa/8_01_2_3980424/UpdateDefaults.js into a new page yields the error
• 404 page not found

IMO, it's not Excel but rather your browser configuration

 

[EyeSore]

If the ticker test works on OpenOffice I may try it. The browser works fine when direct to the same sites as the query. Unless you tested Excel we do not know if the browser configuration is broken. Did the ticker query covered in my last post work? The Bing test fails because that is the default location or IE11.

 

[DelJo63]

Kind of makes my point then doesn't it - - Browser Specific

Yes, http://finance.yahoo.com/quotes/AAPL,MSFT works as a regular URL in a browser
AND as a LINK in a spreadsheet.

Pic a browser other than your default, disable BING and paste into the URL.

Then set that as the default browser and close it. Now click your Excel Link - - bet it works.

 

[DelJo63]

Follow-up: It also works in IE11

 

[EyeSore]

I am not following what you are saying.

1) What do you mean disallow Bing from all browsers?I changed my IE11 home page away from BING.
I disabled the BING search engine in my default FireFox browser.
There is no BING listed in running programs or as an installed program.


2) Excel appears to be tied to IE. Is there a way to force it to use FireFox?

3) What browser configuration needs to change?


I still get the same query errors after changing the default page. I appreciate your help but need more details on what you are doing to get Excel working.

 

[DelJo63]

I am not following what you are saying.

1) What do you mean disallow Bing from all browsers?I changed my IE11 home page away from BING.
I disabled the BING search engine in my default FireFox browser.
There is no BING listed in running programs or as an installed program.
3) What browser configuration needs to change?

Look in the IE browser options
Click the GEAR (upper right)->IE Options->Add-Ons->Search
disable both Search values.

IE Options->Programs clear[ ] check default browser.

Firefox->(three bars upper right) -> Options->General [x] Always check if Firefox is your default browser

2) Excel appears to be tied to IE. Is there a way to force it to use FireFox?

While it is possible that Excel is invoking IE, usually programs access the default browser.

 

[EyeSore]

Thanks for the extra details.

I disabled IE “search suggestions” and “Top result” for Bing. The IE check for default browser was already disabled. The FireFox “Always check if Firefox is your default browser” was already checked. I rebooted my machine.

I redid the Yahoo tick query and it failed in the same way. I get an additional security certificate warning.

The only IE add-on enabled is Microsoft Research. I disabled that too but web queries still fail.

Is there anything else I should check or change to get web queries working?

 

[DelJo63]

Beats the heck out of me; Sorry, I'm out of ideas.