Resolving Excel WorkbookWizard Prerequisite Errors During PCS 7 V9.1 Installation

During SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.1 installation on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019, setup may abort with the error: 'The installation requirements have not been met for the following products: Excel WorkbookWizard - You have to install Microsoft Office including Excel'. If engineering workflows do not require the Advanced Process Functions (APF) Excel Workbook Wizard, uncheck this optional component during package selection to proceed with the core installation. Microsoft SQL Server 2017 installs automatically as an integrated component whenever WinCC packages are selected.

Executive Summary

Deploying SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.1 on modern industrial operating systems like Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 (build 17763) requires strict alignment with Siemens software compatibility matrices. First-time installers frequently encounter two common areas of confusion: determining whether Microsoft SQL Server 2017 must be pre-installed manually, and resolving prerequisite aborts triggered by the 'Excel WorkbookWizard'.

Microsoft SQL Server 2017 is fully integrated into the PCS 7 V9.1 installation media and automatically deploys with the correct instance configurations (WinCC) without manual intervention. However, the 'Excel WorkbookWizard' is an optional utility used primarily for batch recipe generation and Advanced Process Functions (APF). It enforces a strict dependency on 32-bit versions of Microsoft Office. If Office is absent, 64-bit, or installed as an incompatible release, the setup wizard blocks progression. This article details the automated SQL deployment architecture, compatibility requirements for Office integration, and how to successfully execute custom installations.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

The PCS 7 V9.1 setup framework (Setup.exe) is a multi-tier bootstrapper that inspects the local Windows environment, registry keys, and installed software packages prior to launching individual component MSI installers.

When WinCC V7.5 SP2 (the HMI core of PCS 7 V9.1) is selected, the bootstrapper automatically executes the silent setup of Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Standard Edition (64-bit) from the installation DVD folder DVD_2\Support\SQL_Server. It configures specific SQL instance parameters, collation settings (Latin1_General_BIN), service account permissions, and firewall rules required for industrial SCADA operation. Manual pre-installation of generic SQL Server instances is neither required nor supported, as custom PCS 7 registry hooks will fail to bind.

Conversely, the 'Excel WorkbookWizard' is a legacy automation bridge designed to interact with COM object models in Microsoft Excel. The component specifically requires Microsoft Excel 32-bit (Office 2016 or Office 2019 32-bit) with VBA components enabled. If the PCS 7 installer detects a 64-bit Office installation, an unsupported Office 365 click-to-run release without COM registration, or no Office installation, it raises a fatal prerequisite error. Deselecting the wizard from the feature tree removes the dependency check entirely.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

Follow these steps to configure Windows and bypass the Excel WorkbookWizard requirement during PCS 7 V9.1 installation:

Prepare Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 Operating System:
- Verify your operating system build is Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 (Build 17763.2183 or higher).
- Enable required Windows Features via 'Turn Windows features on or off':
- .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0): Enabled.
- .NET Framework 4.7 / 4.8 Advanced Services: Enabled.
- Message Queuing (MSMQ) Server: Enabled.
- Ensure all pending Windows updates are completed and reboot the computer.
Launch PCS 7 V9.1 Setup:
- Mount the PCS 7 V9.1 installation media.
- Right-click Setup.exe on DVD 1 and select 'Run as Administrator'.
- Accept the license agreements and proceed through the initial system inspection.
Select Custom Installation Type:
- When prompted to choose the installation type ('Package installation' vs 'Custom installation'), select 'Custom installation'.
- Click 'Next' to view the full component selection tree.
Deselect Excel WorkbookWizard:
- In the component tree, expand 'Engineering Station' (or 'Options').
- Locate 'Excel WorkbookWizard' (or 'Advanced Process Functions - Excel Workbook Wizard').
- Uncheck the box adjacent to 'Excel WorkbookWizard'.
- Verify that core engineering components remain selected: Step 7, CFC, SFC, WinCC, Automation License Manager, and PCS 7 Basis Library.
Allow Automatic Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Deployment:
- Do NOT attempt to install SQL Server 2017 prior to setup.
- Proceed through the wizard. The PCS 7 installer will automatically extract, install, and configure Microsoft SQL Server 2017 with the WINCC instance and appropriate security groups (SIMATIC HMI).
Complete Installation and Reboot:
- Allow the installer to complete all sub-packages. When prompted, insert DVD 2 if prompted by the setup routine.
- Restart the workstation when prompted to finalize registry and service bindings.

Verification

Open Windows 'Services' (services.msc) and verify that SQL Server (WINCC) and SQL Server Browser are installed and running.
Launch SIMATIC Manager. Confirm that version information under 'Help > About' displays SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.1.
Open Windows 'Programs and Features' and confirm that Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (64-bit) is listed among installed programs.
Open or create a test multiproject in SIMATIC Manager, insert an OS Server station, and open WinCC Explorer to verify that the WinCC database attaches cleanly without SQL connection errors.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Deselecting Excel WorkbookWizard prevents the direct generation of APF recipe workbooks and specific Excel-based import wizards. If your plant utilizes APF or bulk Excel parameterization tools, you must install Microsoft Office 2016 or 2019 Professional (32-bit edition) with Excel and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) prior to rerunning the PCS 7 setup. Always verify commercial licensing and software media requirements with an authorized Siemens distributor or the Siemens Industry Mall before ordering installation media.

Engineer FAQ

Do I need to buy a separate license for Microsoft SQL Server 2017?

No. The Microsoft SQL Server license is bundled directly into the SIMATIC WinCC / PCS 7 OS and ES runtime/engineering software licenses. The installer deploys the licensed SQL version automatically.

Why does Excel WorkbookWizard fail when Office 2013 is installed?

PCS 7 V9.1 compatibility matrices require Microsoft Office 2016 (32-bit) or Office 2019 (32-bit). Office 2013 is not officially tested or supported on PCS 7 V9.1, and 64-bit Office installations cannot interface with the 32-bit COM libraries.

Can I install Excel WorkbookWizard later if needed?

Yes. You can install a supported 32-bit version of Microsoft Excel at any time, re-insert the PCS 7 V9.1 installation DVD, run Setup.exe, choose 'Update/Upgrade', and select 'Excel WorkbookWizard'.

Does PCS 7 V9.1 support Windows 10 Pro or Home editions?

No. PCS 7 V9.1 strictly requires Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) 2019 for client and engineering stations, or Windows Server 2019 for servers. Pro and Home editions are unsupported.

What happens if SQL Server fails to install automatically during setup?

Automatic SQL failure is usually caused by unmanaged pending Windows reboot flags, strict domain group policies blocking local service account creation, or antivirus interference. Disable antivirus and reboot before retrying.