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Enable the COM object on the server

This article provides the steps to check and enable MicrosoftExcel COM permission on the server. However, the same will apply to the other Microsoft COM objects or any third-party objects.

Important note:
Based on the following Microsoft Support article - Considerations for server-side Automation of Office, success following the steps in this article might vary. We have seen some customers succeed with this article, whereas others haven't. It is provided as is.

Microsoft does not currently recommend, and does not support, Automation of Microsoft Office applications from any unattended, non-interactive client application or component (including ASP, ASP.NET, DCOM, and NT Services), because Office may exhibit unstable behavior and/or deadlock when Office is run in this environment.

• Windows Operating System
  • Any version
  • Administrative permissions

If you have written an external script to use a COM object, for example, Microsoft Excel and the workflow uses this, you will need to ensure that the appropriate permissions have been given to the group of users or specific users in order to run the script successfully on the Alteryx server. Otherwise, an error like below can be seen in the Windows System Logs:
 

The application-specific permission settings do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM Server application with CLSID {XXX-XXX-XXX} 
and APPID 
{XXX-XXX-XXX} 
to the user  SID (XXX-XXX-XXX) from address LocalHost (Using LRPC) running in the application container XXX SID (XXX). This 
security permission can be modified using the Component Services administrative tool.

1. If Office 32-bit is used, please use the following command to bring up the Component Services:

mmc comexp.msc /32

For Office 64-bit, use the above command without "/32".
 

2.  Look for the Microsoft Excel Application in Component Services > Computers > My Computer > DCOM Config.

3. Right-click on the component and select Properties.
4. In the Properties window, select the Security tab.
5. Choose the Customize option and click Edit for Launch and Activation Permission.
6. Select or add the appropriate group/user to access the COM object. Check Local Launch and Local Activation.

In some instances, session 0 connections also require you to create 2 additional folders in the following path: 

• C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Dektop
• C:\Windows\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\Desktop

• Microsoft - Enabling COM Security Using DCOMCNFG