Unable to open embedded word files in excel - 'cannot start the source application for this file' error message

Question

Updated to windows 11 start of the year (unable to roll back) - all excel documents that have 1 or more word documents in them cannot be opened- 'cannot start the source application for this file'.

=EMBED("Document","" is in the formula box.

these word documents are not saved anywhere else, so i need to be able to access them.

Office version is home and business 2016

i can see similar questions online, but nothing i have tried so far has made a difference - any ideas?

Answer 1

Hi @Patrick Poore ,

What's kind of file format for the Word document?

I suggest you try to reset file associations:

1. Please go to Control Panel.
2. Click Default Programs, and then click Set your default programs.
3. Under Settings- Default apps, select Set default by app.
   
4. Click Word, and then reset file associations one by one.

If your issue still exists after resetting file associations, please try to repair Office:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/repair-an-office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b

Just checking in to see if the information was helpful. Please let us know if you would like further assistance.

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