"A schedule cannot be enabled for a workbook" when you try to schedule a data refresh by using PowerPivot

  • Article
  • Applies to:
    SharePoint Server 2016

This article was written by Zakir Haveliwala, Senior Support Escalation Engineer.

Symptoms

When you try to schedule a data refresh on a PowerPivot workbook in Microsoft SharePoint 2016, you may see either of the following errors:

  • Sorry, something went wrong.

  • A schedule cannot be enabled for a workbook with no external data sources.

The SharePoint Unified Logging Service (ULS) logs may show the following error:

UserProfileDBCache_WCFLogging :: ProfileDBCacheServiceClient.GetUserData threw exception: Access is denied.

This issue occurs when the account that's running the PowerPivot System Service in SharePoint (PowerPivot application pool) does not have permissions on the User Profile Service Application.

Resolution

To fix this issue, add the required permissions with the following steps:

  1. In SharePoint Central Administration, go to Application Management > Manage service applications, and then select User Profile Service Application. Then click Administrators.

    Screenshot to select the Administrators option under the Service Applications tab.

  2. Add the PowerPivot system service account, select the Full Control check box, and then click OK.

    Screenshot of the Administrators for User Profile Service Application page.

  3. Select Permissions.

    Screenshot to select the Permissions option under the Service Applications tab.

  4. Add the PowerPivot System Service account, select the Full Control check box, and then click OK.

    Screenshot of the Connection Permissions for User Profile Service Application page.

  5. Restart the PowerPivot System Service on all the SharePoint servers that are running this service.