Can someone confirm what I fear?
Is it accurate that you cannot convert (using the conversion tool) a Deski report to Webi when it has a manual data source (excel file in this case)?
If anyone knows any way to do this without having to remove the source, convert and then re-add I would be most greatful.
Nick
Sinkerson (BOB member since 2009-07-30)
Since webI doesnt support Excel as a datasource, you will have to first create a universe based on the Excel file(check Universe Excel datasource ) and convert the report to point to the universe. Later try the conversion to webI
.
haider 
(BOB member since 2005-07-18)
Rich client supports Excel as a local data source, but I don’t know if it will migrate these data sources when converting deski -> webi. I’ll try later if I get a moment.
cashworth (BOB member since 2005-02-09)
Hi,
I have tried and it converted fine. However, if there were more data providers, one from excel, another from a universe, sometimes it failed with error.
So if you have a DeskI document with an Excel file as data provider, you have a good chance to be able to convert it to WebI with versions newer than XI 3.1
Good Luck! 
bobano 
(BOB member since 2004-10-21)
How is it possible when Web-I doesn’t support personal data provider (except the Rich client)? 
Jansi 
(BOB member since 2008-05-12)
Just tested myself and it works fine.
cashworth (BOB member since 2005-02-09)
I meant it converted, and that is all. That was the question I hope I am sorry if I misunderstood. If you have a DeskI report which uses Excel file as data provider, you can convert it to a WebI document with the report conversion tool, it will convert without problem, the only drawback is that you cannot refresh that report in InfoView. But you can open, modify, add more data providers, etc. and you can do anything with it with Rich Client. WebI supports personal data providers, you just cannot refresh them in InfoView.
bobano (BOB member since 2004-10-21)
Hi
we are using BO XI R3.1 and my administrator, who is trying to convert Deski reports with personal data providers (Excel), says that it is NOT possible to convert these reports to Webi using Conversion tool UNLESS personal data providers are deleted from the deski reports first!!
Can you please state which version and what service pack level of BO XI R3 you are using?
Also, can you provide any detailed information or a link to documentation that says the conversion tool CAN handle personal data providers, so I can go back to my admin …
Thanks in advance.
kamlesh98 (BOB member since 2009-02-05)
Has your adminstrator actually tried it?
I’m using XI 3.1 FixPack 1.2.
Deski report with Excel data provider converts to Webi with no problems whatsoever.
cashworth (BOB member since 2005-02-09)
kamlesh98, I tried with XI 3.1 and it worked fine, just as I described.
Here is the link to the guide and even page 6 states it should work.
Cheers
bobano (BOB member since 2004-10-21)