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I am trying to open an Excel xlsm file using Task Scheduler but cannot get it to work.
I have configured the Action tab in a number of different ways but no matter what I do I cannot get the Excel to open let alone get the Excel file to open (i.e., nothing happens at the specified time or when I try to run the scheduled task manually)
The current configuration has the action tab configured as follows (which has solved the problem for some):
I am running an ARM version of Windows 11.
Thank you.
Make sure the task is set to "Run only when user is logged on".
Full explanation: There are 2 types of Windows programs, command line (console) programs like icacls.exe, and graphical (GUI) programs like Excel.
If you have a requirement to "Run whether the user is logged on or not", then you should only execute command line (console) programs. I refer to this as "unattended execution".
The issue is that GUI programs expect to interact with a desktop user who can "click on OK to continue" message boxes. If the task is set to "Run whether the user is logged on or not", the desktop user has no access to the GUI. There is no way to click on anything. There is no way to "see" the window that the program produces. About the only thing that you can do is to use the task manager to see if the program is running and force kill any instances.
Command line (console) programs work well for unattended execution because you can capture stdout and stderr and see what messages a program produces.
See my answer to this question.
Graphical (GUI) programs like Excel should be set to run only when the user is logged on. That way the program will be visible to the desktop user and can interact with it. If Excel can't find your .xlsm file, then it should show an error message.
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Mine is set to "Run only when user is logged on" now. The tasks show as Completed in the history, but they didn't actually. I am running tasks to Model Builder models in ArcGIS Pro. I can run them manually okay, and they have worked as scheduled tasks on my previous laptop.
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Hi
Please enter "path to Excel *.xlsm file" in "Add arguments (optional)" box instead of "Strat in (optional)" for a check.
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As a start, thank you for the assistance.
I tried making the changes you suggested and it did not work.
Still looking for a solution.
Thank you.
Hi @Joel
Thanks for your back.
Please check whether MotoX80's answer is helpful to you.
In addition, could you please share us with some screenshots to show the settings that you configured the task scheduler?
Can you open other Excel files, such as .xlsx files via Task Scheduler?
Besides, I suggest you go to Task Manager, check whether there is Excel task after running the Task Scheduler.
Then it's recommended to create a .bat file that includes the command opens Excel file, like the following.
@echo off
start "" "C:\Users\XXX\Desktop\1111.xlsm"
Set the task action to run this .bat file for a check.
@MotoX80 good morning (at least where I am).
I tried your suggestion and am happy to report that the Task Scheduler now works perfectly.
I want to extend a huge thank you for solving my problem. MUCH THANKS!
One follow up: Is there a way to rename a Scheduled Task or does one have to recreate the Scheduled Task (as I suspect is the case).
Thank you,
Joel
You can right click the task and select "Export". Then save the .xml file. In the Actions pane select "Import task" and point it to the .xml file. At that point you can change the name, save it, and go back and delete the original task.
Appreciate the further help / suggestion; that is exporting and reimporting the XML worked like a charm. Huge thank you!
Joel