Security Error Opening TestStand XML Report in Excel or Word 2007

Updated Jul 10, 2020

Issue Details

I am using TestStand's XML report format and I want to view my reports in Excel or Word 2007.  When I try to open the XML report, I get an error regarding security settings.  Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the script errors that occur in both Excel and Word.
 
Figure 1. Excel Script Error
 
Figure 2. Word Script Error after selecting XML data view
 
Figures 3 and 4 show what error messages occur after selecting OK on the previous error pop-ups. 
 
Figure 3. Detailed Excel XML Script Error
 
Figure 4. Detailed Word XML Script Error 
 
I've looked for security settings in Excel and Word to allow this, but I have not been able to get the file to load properly. How can I open my XML reports in Excel or Word 2007?
 

Solution

This is a security error, therefore we can make some modifications to the registry to disable this security check. As with all registry edits, it is a good idea to make a backup before modifying the registry.  To make a backup, go to File»Export in the Registry Editor.

Note: Making the following modification could make your computer or network "more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses". More information on this error can be found at this Microsoft KnowledgeBase article: Microsoft KnowledgeBase KB908556: Error message when you try to open an Excel 2007 workbook: "Scripts in this XML document are disabled"

To disable the security check, follow this procedure:
  1. Open Registry Editor (Start Menu»Run..., type regedit).
  2. Browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Excel\Security  (Replace "Excel" with "Word" for Microsoft Word Security)
  3. The security key should contain a value called XSLSecurityLevel. If the value does not exist, it can be created by right-clicking under the (Default) value and creating a new DWORD value named XSLSecurityLevel.
    4. Double-click the XSLSecurityLevelvalue
    5. Enter in the Value Data
    6. Click OK.

Now you should be able to open your XML report from Excel or Word 2007. 

To reset this setting:
  1. Go back to the Registry Editor
  2. Navigate down to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Excel\Security  (Replace "Excel" with "Word" for Microsoft Word Security) 
  3. Double-click the XSLSecurityLevel value
  4. Enter 0 in the Value Data.
  5. Click OK.