Step 1: File Location

Follow these steps to establish a new location for the Application Configurator security and connection files, and to define general security settings.

Spreadsheet Server now supports both traditional network locations and SharePoint integration for enhanced cloud-based file management.

Network/Shared Folder Setup

Prerequisites

Before configuring a shared file location, ensure the following:

• The network folder/share exists and is accessible to all Application Configurator users
• Read-write permissions are granted to all users running Spreadsheet Server and Application Configurator
• The folder path is on a stable, backed-up network location

Configuration Steps

1. In the General tab of the Application Configurator Settings panel, locate the Security File Network Folder field.
2. Enter the network path using one of the following formats:
   • UNC path: \\serverName\SpreadsheetServer\Security\
   • UNC with IP address: \\10.1.0.10\SpreadsheetServer\Security\
   • Mapped drive: S:\Security\ (where S: is mapped to \\serverName\SpreadsheetServer\Security\)

   Note: UNC paths are recommended over mapped drives for consistency across users.

3. Alternatively, click Browse to navigate to and select the network folder.
4. Verify that the folder is accessible by all Application Configurator users who need to access security and connection files.
5. Enable the Auto load Configurator files from network location checkbox to automatically load file data from this location each time Application Configurator opens.
6. Click OK to save the settings.
7. Click File > Save or the Save icon in Application Configurator.
8. Click Yes when prompted to push the changes to the network location.

Important Notes

• This should be a secured location that each Application Configurator user has access to.
• Ensure proper backup procedures are in place for this network location.
• All users must have network connectivity to this location to use Application Configurator.

SharePoint Integration Setup

Prerequisites for SharePoint Integration

• Spreadsheet Server v25.3 or later

• Read and write permissions for all users

• SharePoint file access and update capabilities

Required SharePoint Permissions

Spreadsheet Server requires the following delegated permissions to integrate with SharePoint:

• Files.ReadWrite.All - Allows reading and writing files in SharePoint document libraries

• Sites.ReadWrite.All - Allows accessing SharePoint sites to store configuration files and distribute reports

• User.Read - Reads basic profile information of the signed-in user (name, email)

• User.ReadBasic.All - Reads basic profile information to display user names in reports

Spreadsheet Server requires access to all files because it can create new files and folders in various locations. It requires access to all site collections so that it can list the available sites and drives for users to select from during configuration.

Security Model

Spreadsheet Server uses delegated permissions, not application permissions. This security model ensures:

• User-Based Access Control

  • The application can only access SharePoint resources that the logged-in user can access.

  • If a user does not have access to a SharePoint site, Spreadsheet Server cannot access that site when the user is logged in.

  • The application operates within each user's existing SharePoint permissions.

  • The application cannot bypass the SharePoint security model.

• Existing SharePoint Security Enforcement

  • All SharePoint permissions, restrictions, and security policies remain enforced.

  • Sensitive sites that users cannot access remain completely protected.

  • The application inherits the user's permissions rather than having elevated access.

Configuration Steps

File Migration

Save copies of the following files to a SharePoint location. This typically includes everything in the path: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Global Software Inc\Spreadsheet Server

• dotnetsecurity.xml

• dotnetconnections.xml

• CustomGL folder

• AdHocQueries folder

• Query Designer → Queries Folder

• Application Data folder

Application Configurator Setup

1. Sign in to Application Configurator. From the desktop, click Start > Spreadsheet Server Suite > Application Configurator. The Administrator Login panel displays.

   

2. Enter the administrator username and password as provided by an insightsoftware executive and click OK. The default username is Admin and the password is gsi, unless modified.
   
3. In Application Configurator, click the File drop-down menu and then click Settings.
4. Navigate to Application Configurator Settings and locate the new Storage Location option for SharePoint.

   

5. Select SharePoint location, authentication prompt appears immediately.
6. After authentication, browse to search for a SharePoint destination.

   

7. Select the target folder.
8. Use the following table to enter data in the General tab of the Application Configurator Settings panel.

   

   Field	Description
   Security File Network Folder	Enter the path or click Browse to select a common network folder location for the security and connection files. This should be a secured location that each Application Configurator user has access to. Note: Spreadsheet Server needs read-write permission to the network drive (shared folder). This is required when using a network/shared location for the Security File Network Folder. Example paths for network/shared folders: \\serverName\insightsoftware\SpreadsheetServer\ \\10.1.0.10\insightsoftware\SpreadsheetServer\ P:\SpreadsheetServer\ (where drive P: is mapped to \\serverName\insightsoftware\SpreadsheetServer)
   Cloud Storage Location	Enter the cloud storage URL to connect to insightsoftware’s cloud file management system.
   Port	Enter the port number for the cloud storage location if necessary.
   Platform Token Timeout	Enter the number of days (up to 14 days) post which the application will require Platform users to re-authenticate login to Spreadsheet Server.
   Online License Check	Choose to enable or disable the online license check. This function is password protected when disabling the online license check.
   Auto load Configurator files from network location	Enable this checkbox to automatically load the file data from the folder specified in the Security File Network Folder field each time you open Application Configurator.
   Use binding variables	Enable this checkbox to bind variables and use that parameter when running a query. Use this function to avoid entering a required value into the query, writing separate queries for each different value, or concatenating strings, and improve the query calculation time. If enabled, Application Configurator applies this setting to all the users in the organization.
   Select multiple ERPs for display	Select the ERPs for use in Spreadsheet Server.

9. Click OK.
10. In Application Configurator, click File > Save or the Save icon.
11. If you have defined a shared network location, click Yes in the subsequent prompt to push the changes to the network.

Alternative Setup Method

SharePoint integration is also available through the Configuration Wizard for organizations that prefer guided setup.

Platform Storage Integration

Spreadsheet Server now reads and writes configuration files directly from Platform Storage, eliminating the need to manually map file paths to local, network, or SharePoint locations. When you open Application Configurator on version 26.2 or later for the first time, your existing configurations are automatically migrated to Platform Storage. After migration, file path fields in Application Configurator and Spreadsheet Server Settings are automatically populated and set to read-only.

Prerequisites

• Spreadsheet Server v26.2 or later
• Provisioned Platform account with users added and licenses assigned
• Legacy License customers: This feature does not apply. Platform Storage options are not displayed. Local, network, and SharePoint storage continue to work as before.

Files Stored in Platform Storage

After migration, the following files and folders are stored in Platform Storage. These files are located under the path:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\Global Software Inc\Spreadsheet Server

• AdHocQueries
• Application Data
• CustomGL
• Layouts
• Query Designer > Queries
• DotNetConnections.xml
• DotNetSecurity.xml

Note: The following files are not stored in Platform Storage and remain local: SSSettings.xml, ACSettings.xml, and Backups.

Configure Platform Storage

Platform Storage does not require manual path configuration. When you open Application Configurator for the first time on version 26.2 or later, the migration to Platform Storage runs automatically in the background. The steps below describe what you can expect during and after migration.

Step 1: Open Application Configurator

• On your desktop, click Start > Spreadsheet ServerSuite > Application Configurator. The Administrator Login panel displays.
• Enter your administrator username and password and click OK.

Note: The default username is Admin and the password is gsi, unless your organization has modified these credentials.

Step 2: Migration Runs Automatically

If your organization has a Platform License and has not yet migrated, Application Configurator detects this state automatically and runs the migration in the background. You do not need to take any action.

Note: End users cannot use Spreadsheet Server until the administrator completes this migration. The migration is a one-time, one-way process.

Step 3: Verify Migration Is Complete

• In Application Configurator, click File > Settings. The Application Configurator Settings panel displays.
• Navigate to the Storage Location section.
• Confirm that the following banner is displayed: Your organization uses Platform Storage for all files. Storage configuration is managed automatically.
• Confirm that all file path fields are set to read-only and are automatically pointing to your Platform Storage location. No manual path entry is required.

Note: For Legacy License customers, the Storage Location section continues to display local, network, and SharePoint options. Platform Storage options are not shown.

Storage Location Settings

After migration, the following fields in the General tab of Application Configurator Settings are automatically populated and set to read-only:

Connections

You can still create additional connections — such as Snowflake, local databases, or other ERPs — directly in Application Configurator. Existing connection workflows are not affected by the migration to Platform Storage.

Spreadsheet Server Settings — File Paths

For Platform License customers who have completed migration, the file path fields in Spreadsheet Server Settings are automatically populated and set to read-only. You do not need to update any paths manually.

To verify your file path settings after migration:

• In the Spreadsheet Server ribbon, click Settings > Network Security & Connections Files.
• Confirm that the following folders are automatically pointing to your Platform Storage location and are set to read-only:

Query Designer

After migration, Query Designer reads connections created through Application Configurator and reads and writes queries directly to and from Platform Storage. No additional configuration is required.

Segment Lists and Drill Down Layouts

After migration, Segment Lists and Drill Down Layouts read from and write to Platform Storage automatically. No manual reconfiguration is required.

License and Migration States