Sharing workbooks between EPM Add In 64 bit and 32 bit

[david_zepeda]

Our enterprise is considering the selective deployment of Excel 2013 64 bit for some power users who need access to increased memory on their local workstations.. These same users would in turn need to be equipped with the 64 bit version of the EPM Excel Add In (Big Vol).

The question arises as to what known issues or caveats there are for users who update and run workbooks on the 64 bit Excel Add In and share those same workbooks to be update and run by users who are on the 32 bit Excel Add In. The obvious issue is that those with 64 bit can utilize and run workbook that require much more memory. Are there any other known issues or incompatibilities?

Thanks forum.

[Alex_S_sap1 · Accepted solution]

Hello David,

The functionality that exists should be the same if for example you are connecting to the same source such as BPC-NW to retrieve data for these reports.

- The same EPM functions can be used in both the 32bit and 64bit versions.

As you had referenced the biggest difference is going to be the memory available therefore there may be some reports that will run in the 64bit version of MS Office with the EPM Add-in that could fail to refresh within the 32bit version of MS Office with the EPM Add-in.

- In these instances you would need to use filters to reduce the data being retrieved or design the report to return less data.

There should be no other issues at this time between the 32bit and 64bit releases, if you have any questions on this scenario, please let me know.

Regards,
Alex

[Former Member]

Hi David,

No issue at all.

I highly recommend to use big vol EPM add in for 32bit and 64bit office.

the one based on .NET 3.5 and other one based on .NET 4, big vol is not only for 64bit office.

performance wise the .NET 4 version is much faster than .NET 3.5.

You will see performance differences between office 32 and 64 bit, that is purely based on office product, not EPM addin.

Andy

[david_zepeda]

Andy,

Thanks for your response. I want to verify my understanding with you on this subject.

There is no 64 bit version of the EPM Excel Add In per se. There is this .NET 4.0 version for Big Data that can operate in both a 32 and 64 bit Office environment. The latter of which benefits for the larger amount of memory that is available.

This is my understanding by I'm always concerned that I may be missing something. Please confirm.

Thanks again,

David

[Alex_S_sap1]

Hi David,

If you are using the same EPM Add-in .NET 4.0 version then the only difference between a 32-bit Office installation and 64-bit Office installation will be the memory available for the EPM report to process.

A report created in one bit version will still work on the other bit version as long as the amount of memory needed does not go over the 32-bit limit.

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Thanks,
Alex

[Former Member]

Hi David,

Yes, your understanding is correct, .NET 3.5 will only work on 32bit office, and .NET 4 will work with 32 and 64 bit office.

.NET 4 EPM add in have much better performance when compares to .NET 3.5 add in when installed on 32bit office.

Andy