RealTimeData server for Excel - Security issue

Guyot, Bertrand 0

When "Require Application Add-ins to be signed" and "Disable notification or unsigned add-ins (code will remain disabled)" are enabled in Trusted Center, RealTimeData server link's displays #N/A in the Excel sheet.

To solve this problem when reading the article "How to set up and use the RTD function in Excel" (cf:https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot/excel/set-up-realtimedata-function) I just have to digitally signed the RTD server.

Only it turns out that my server is indeed signed.

How come the RTD server is not loaded? Could it be the signature? Is there another step to take? Thanks for any feedback

OS version: 6.2.0.x64

Excel Version: 16 (Office 2016-x64)

1 answer

Emi Zhang-MSFT 27,961 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2025-02-11T03:13:21.2366667+00:00

Hi,

The RTD COM automation add-in must be created and registered on a local computer. If you haven't installed a real-time data server, the RTD function returns the #N/A error message in a cell when you try to use the RTD function.

Have you created RealTimeData Server successfully?

I suggest you refer to this support article and you're using Excel 2016, the Object Library version should be Microsoft Excel 16.0 Object Library:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/office/troubleshoot/office-developer/create-realtimedata-server-in-excel

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Guyot, Bertrand 0 Reputation points

2025-02-11T13:10:26.2366667+00:00

RealTimeData Server have been created successfully and it works well when there is no security restriction :"Require Application Add-ins to be signed" or "Disable notification or unsigned add-ins" disabled in Trusted Center. Only if I activate these two options I have #N/A while my executable is well signed.

Emi Zhang-MSFT 27,961 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2025-02-12T01:58:14.3066667+00:00

Hi,

Add your RTD server's certificate to the list of trusted publishers in Excel. This can help Excel recognize and trust your add-in. And make sure your RTD server add-in is active. Go to File > Options > Add-ins, and check if your add-in is listed under inactive add-ins. If it is, try to activate it.

Guyot, Bertrand 0 Reputation points

2025-02-12T09:42:02.88+00:00

Hi, Thank you for this comment.

My RTD server's certificate is successfully added to the list of trusted publishers in Excel and indeed my RTD server is listed under inactive add-ins. How to activate it?

Emi Zhang-MSFT 27,961 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2025-02-13T07:04:00.28+00:00

Hi,

It's under Excel Add-in list:

Go to Manage and select Excel Add-in:

Check the inactivate add-in:

Guyot, Bertrand 0 Reputation points

2025-02-13T13:30:20.5466667+00:00

Hi,

If I use Microsoft® Excel® 2013, I can add the certificate in the trusted publisher by opening my signed executable but I can't add it in the add-ins available to activate it.

If I use Microsoft® Excel® for Microsoft 365 ,

I can't add the certificate, I have the following error when I try to open my signed exe file which contains the RTD server.

cf: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-remove-or-view-a-trusted-publisher-87b3d5a3-b68c-4023-87c4-7cc78a44d7ed

But I manage to activate my server in the ADD-in lists. Unfortunately the result is always #N/A

I'm still stuck, do you have any other leads?

Many thanks

Guyot, Bertrand 0 Reputation points

2025-02-20T09:00:55.7166667+00:00

My add-in is an executable. It is correctly installed, registered and signed. I added the certificate in the trusted publisher.

If I activate it for the session it works correctly.

But excel does not recognize the certificate. How to avoid this.
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