<Portal URL> did not successfully connect. Enter a valid connection URL on the backstage

Error Message

Attempting to log in to ArcGIS Maps for Office in Microsoft Excel returns the following error message:

Error:
<Portal URL> did not successfully connect. Enter a valid connection URL on the backstage.

Cause

The following are possible causes for the error:

• ArcGIS Maps for Office is not prioritized in the machine's environment variables. This causes the application to not receive the required DLL files to run certain processes such as the CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe process.
• An invalid ArcGIS URL connection is used when connecting to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise. Refer to ArcGIS Maps for Office: Frequently asked questions – Why can't I connect to my ArcGIS Enterprise portal instance from ArcGIS Maps for Office? for more information.

Solution or Workaround

Move the ArcGIS Maps for Office path variable to the top of the Path variable value list in the system variables of the machine, and add an ArcGIS Connection using a valid portal URL.

1. Click the Start button and type in 'Advanced System Settings' to search.
2. Click View advanced system settings to open the System Properties window.
3. On the Advanced tab, click Environment Variables....

4. Under the System variables section, double-click the Path variable to edit the system variables.
5. For Variable value, move the following variable to the top of the variable value list:

C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGISMaps\Office

6. Click OK to close the Environment Variables window.
7. Click OK to close the System Properties window.
8. In Microsoft Excel, click File and navigate to ArcGIS Maps.
9. Add a connection to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise using a valid URL.

For ArcGIS Online

https://<organizationShortName>.maps.arcgis.com

For ArcGIS Enterprise

https://<gisserver>.<domain>.com/portal

10. Restart ArcGIS Maps for Office.