“Invalid server” error while altering SQL Agent Job step

When updating a SQL Agent job step to run an SSIS package instead of executing an SSAS script, I received the following error when trying to save the Agent Job:

The specified ‘@server’ is invalid (valid values are returned by sp_helpserver).

I initially thought this error had something to do with my package connections, but it didn’t – it occurred because I had changed the job step from an SSAS script to an SSIS package, rather than creating a new step and removing the old one. This actually seemed to occur when I alter the “SQL Server Analysis Services Command” step to any other type of step – it must leave some portion of the step partially configured, and it throws a validation error when you try to save it.

Solution:

To work around this error, delete the old “SSAS Command” step, rather than modifying it, and created a new step to run your SSIS package. It will validate without error and let you save the updated package.