Excel COM automation via interactive user stops working when user logs off

Question

I have developed a server app that uses Excel 2007 COM automation to convert some xls files. It is started as a service on a Windows Datacenter instance, running under its o

Answer 1

I've had this issue, and I found that the answer is actually in the DCOM Configuration.

I did the following to resolve the issue:

1. Open the Excel DCOM Properties
2. Go to the Identity tab
3. Select This User
4. Enter the credentials of someone who has access to Excel

You may need to go to the Security tab and ensure the user you've specified above has appropriate Permissions.

After doing this, I was able to Log Off the Server while still using the Excel COM Automation libraries.