3753704 - excel add-in shows “an error has occurred while loading data sources” for a single user; backend returns 401 due to saml authentication state; resolved by role reassignment — sap analytics cloud, add-in for office

• When selecting a S/4HANA live connection in the excel add-in, the message appears: “An error has occurred while loading data sources, therefore no data sources can be shown.”
• The issue affects a single user while others can access the same connection successfully.
• The user can sign in to the add-in, but cannot retrieve specific data sources.
• Non working connection information:
  Tunnel connection to XXX client 100
  Connection Type = Tunnel
  Default Location
  Authentication Method = SAML Single Sign On

• Product: SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft Office

1. Open Excel and start the SAP Analytics Cloud add-in.
2. Sign in to the tenant using SSO.
3. Add a table and browse live data connections (for example, BW or S/4HANA via tunnel).
4. Select the target live connection and wait for data sources to load.
5. Observe that an error is returned and no data sources are shown.

• The ABAP backend returned HTTP 401 due to a SAML authentication failure for the affected user (inconsistent authorization state/user buffer). The cloud connector and tunnel were functioning correctly; the rejection originated in the ABAP system.

1. Remove and reassign the affected user’s roles/authorizations, then test again in both the excel add-in and the web modeler. This refreshes the user’s authorization state and resolved the issue in the confirmed case.
2. If the problem persists, verify SAML SSO to the backend by testing the live connection in the web modeler with the same user.
3. If a 401 still occurs, collect evidence to confirm a backend authentication issue:

• Cloud Connector payload/traffic trace around the failure.
• ABAP system logs at the same time (for example, SM21) to identify SAML logon errors.
• After correcting any backend SAML/user mapping issues, retest the live connection in the excel add-in.

refer to: KBA 3511880 - Error occurs when connecting BW or S/4HANA Tunnel type Live connection in SAC add-in

refer to: KBA 3085993 - Troubleshooting guide for the SAC add-in for Office

refer to: KBA 2280022 - How to collect a HAR file and Console Log in SAP Analytics Cloud

refer to: KBA 3268855 - How to capture End-to-End Trace for Tunnel/Principal Propagation issues

excel add-in, sac add-in, live data connection, bw live, s/4hana live, tunnel connection, principal propagation, 401 unauthorized, saml2, saml sso, data sources not shown, getserverinfo, ina service, cloud connector, authentication failure , KBA , LOD-ANA-OF-XLA , SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft Office , Problem