Embedded excel in Word Doc cannot be opened.

Question

Hello Expert

I've come across the similar topic but none are helpful.

And I've exhausted possible options here. Please shed some light...

Problem Description:  Embedded excel in Word doc cannot be opened.  It doesn't even pop up any dialog box. 

This issue only happens with me, members in our group have no problem. And some people out side of my group not affected either. 

WidowsOS: Windows 10 Ver 1909. 

Office Version:   Office365 after clean uninstall Office 2013. (The problem originally was seen with Office 2013)   

When I inspect the file, the following error is seen. Not sure if this is because of the issue. 

Thanks

Sam

Answer 1

Hi Sam  ,

I’m sorry for not being able to solve this issue on our side till now for you.

Though reinstalling OS is the last resort, I recommend that you can try to switch to a new Windows User Profile before reinstalling it. This method can rule out the possible reason of your current Windows User Account. This is a relatively simple method compared to reinstalling the OS.

Thanks for your reply again.

Regards,

Jazlyn

Hi Jazlyn

Here is my update before going to reinstall OS or swap with unused Laptop unless you have some other options for me to try. 

My colleague logged in his account on my laptop and tried to open the file. It worked.

Then I logged in my account on his laptop and tried to open the file. It worked. 

So definitely something to do with my laptop. I don't believe that my account profile messed up but one of applications might be causing it. And I don't plan to uninstall applications because there are so many. In fact since I did the clean boot,  I'm not sure uninstalling other applications would help either. 

Anyway, I am one of very few people out there who got stuck with this.

Thanks for your help.

Sam

Answer 2

Hi Sam  ,

Thank you for your detailed reply.

You mentioned “This issue only happens with me, members in our group have no problem”, so the reason of the problem may not the file itself. The main problem might be on your Word client or your PC.

Based on your screenshot, you have re-installed Office already, did you install the latest Office version 1902(Build 11328.20468)? If not, please go File>Account>Update Options> Update now.

Meanwhile, I mentioned two methods in my last reply, such as: Office safe mode and a clean boot in Windows, you can try it out.

Before reinstalling the Windows 10 you mentioned in the last, you can also try to switch to a new Windows User profile. This is to determine if the issue is related to local windows user account settings.

Thanks for your cooperation in advance.

Please feel free to post back anytime if you have any updates.

Regards,

Jazlyn

Hi Jazlyn

I updated to 20468 (it was 20438). It didn't help but I didn't think that would help.

The exactly same symptom has been discussed with Office2016.  And there is no resolution. 

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/embedding-an-excel-sheet-in-word-2016-does-not/22c0fd61-4d43-4ad7-8685-757b06207e02?page=3

 When I inspect the file, the embedded document see the error. I wish I can know what files I need to remove. 

Very frustrating.  Our IT cannot help, and no one has clue and the issue sits there for years. 

I guess only the last resort is to reinstall OS. hopefully that would fix it. but still hesitate to do so. 

Thanks

Sam

Answer 3

Hi Jalyn

>1. You mentioned that the problem was seen with Office 2013 originally, so you could try to copy >the Excel content to a new created Excel file, then delete the old one and re-embed the new one >to the Word document to see the result.

>2. Make sure the Excel file type and Word type be the same. Such as: .xls and .doc, or .xlsx and >.docx.

I didn't create the file. I asked my colleague to open the excel and save it locally. That file extension was xlsx. The doc is docx.

>3. You also mentioned that others could open the embedded file successfully, so the reason may >on your Office application or your PC. So you can try the two methods below:

>  a. You can try Office safe mode to determine if the third party add-ins affect the office program.

I did but didn't help. The same behavior. 

>  b. You can perform a clean boot in Windows to determine whether a background program is >interfering with Office program.

I did reset the PC (warm start, cold start) but didn't help.  And like i said, i uninstalled office 2013 and then install Offic365 cleanly.

>If the problem persists, could you please provide some information for me?

>1. Your Office 365 version(open Word >File>Account>About Word)

>2. What is the detailed step you embed the Excel file? 

Like i said, I didn't create one. 

However, I just created a different file docx. Then I insert the object xlsx by the following procedure.

Open the docx file > insert > object > 'Create from File' tab > browse and select xlsx file. > Check box "Display as icon" > click ok to close > save the word file.

At this point, if double click this excel icon object, then the excel file was opened successfully.

However, then close the docx file and the reopen . Then double click the excel icon. The problem again still exists. Right click on the icon shows "Unknown Object".  >3. What is the expression of this Excel file? link? Or icon?

Icon. 

Also I tried the following but didn't help. 

Go to "Programs and Features" > click on Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus > click "Change" > select quick repair. 

After the repair was completed, then i tried to open but the same issue. 

Instead of "quick repair"

Go to "Programs and Features" > click on Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus > click "Change" > select "Online repair". 

After 3 min or so, it suddenly failed to repair.  And Microsoft Office 365 programs were removed completely. I check the Microsoft Office folder but empty.   

After that I was able to reinstall from Start menu > Office > install office 

Now the last option is to reinstall the Windows10 ?

Thanks

Sam

Answer 4

Hi Jazlyn

First of all, thanks for  your reply.

I'm pretty much tied up today but hopefully I would follow your guidance and get back to you today or tomorrow. 

One of my colleague suggested me to create one to see if I can open it. I will try that too.

>2. What is the detailed step you embed the Excel file? 

I don't know since I didn't create.

>3. What is the expression of this Excel file? link? Or icon

Could you elaborate what you are referring here? "expression" ? 

Thank

Sam

Answer 5

Hi Samky2005,

Sorry for the inconvenience the problem caused for you.

Based on your description, I tested on my side and the embedded Excel file can be opened successfully.

There are many reasons causing the problem, such as: you may have embedded an Excel chart in your Word document that has underlying data you can only view in Excel, or there may be some cached data behind that chart that's not visible either. However, here are some suggestions for you and I hope it can help you:

1. You mentioned that the problem was seen with Office 2013 originally, so you could try to copy the Excel content to a new created Excel file, then delete the old one and re-embed the new one to the Word document to see the result.
2. Make sure the Excel file type and Word type be the same. Such as: .xls and .doc, or .xlsx and .docx.
3. You also mentioned that others could open the embedded file successfully, so the reason may on your Office application or your PC. So you can try the two methods below:

a. You can try Office safe mode to determine if the third party add-ins affect the office program.

b. You can perform a clean boot in Windows to determine whether a background program is interfering with Office program.

If the problem persists, could you please provide some information for me?

1. Your Office 365 version(open Word >File>Account>About Word)
2. What is the detailed step you embed the Excel file?
3. What is the expression of this Excel file? link? Or icon?

Regards,

Jazlyn