unable to open embedded excel in word document

Question

I keep getting a  error stating the server application, source file, or item cannot be found. Make sure the application is properly installed, and that it has not been deleted, moved,renamed, or blocked by policy.

I am getting this message while trying to open an embedded excel in a word document.  This happens with every document in word that has any excel sheet embedded within the document. how can I get this problem fixed? 

Listed below is what has been tried and did not fix the problem.

Word Version 2016 - 32 bit (Click to Run)

Windows 7 Professional

Things Tried:

1. Ran repairs to Office - basic and advanced
2. Compared File Location Settings in word
3. Compared Excel file locations on computer
4. Tried in other documents - problem persists. Works at first when you  embed and then cannot find the file after closing/reopening.
5. Compared trust center settings
6. disable startup folder add-ins - no add-ins found
7. started word using the /a switch
8. Ran as administrator
9. Checked that the "Ignore other apprlications that use DDE" in Excel is NOT checked
10. Ran updates in office
11. Checked that the default file location for xls. is the Excel 2016 application
12. Disabled COM add-ins (there were none)

Answer 1

Hi KimberlySimpson1,

Are you using McAfee antivirus on your computer?

If yes, I think it is the problem. And it has been fixed with WebAdvisor version 4.0.7.148. Please update the McAfee antivirus to the latest version. Follow these steps provided in the McAfee forums.

If not, please provide the following information for us for further investigation.

1. The detailed version of your Word program. Please open Word and go to File > Account and then capture a screenshot of the product information for us.
2. A screenshot of the error.

Thanks,

Ran

Answer 2

So Ran gave me the idea that maybe it is my anti virus but that is removed and it is still doing the error so below is the word program I use along with error hope someone has another idea of what can be blocking my excel in my word program.

[PII is masked by Yoga Yao MSFT Support]

Answer 3

Hi KimberlySimpson1,

If the issue is not related to the antivirus program, I would suggest you perform a clean boot to your computer to check whether it is caused by other programs.

Refer to How to perform a clean boot in Windows

If the issue still exists in clean boot, please check whether the issue happens to newly created files. If yes, please provide the detailed reproduce steps for us so that I can check whether the issue occurs on my side.

Thanks,

Ran

Answer 4

Hi KimberlySimpson1,

Could you please share some updates with us?

Thanks,

Ran