Cannot start source application for this object

Question

I am using Microsoft Excel 2016. When there are excel files embedded, I couldn't open and it shows "cannot start source application for this object" but it works fine on PDF files. I have tried all the ways found in Google search and they do not work.

So I tried to embed another existing excel file into an excel file, "link to file" is unchecked" and delete the file embedded from the recycle bin and the same pop up "cannot start source application for this object" occurs. Next I tried to save this excel file as Excel Binary Workbook & open with Open Office and I am able to open the embedded excel files. So the problem must be something to do with excel since another program can open the embedded files. Any solutions for this?

Answer 1

Hi,

If the source files are on my computer, the error doesn't show.

When they are deleted from my computer the error shows.

Does that mean I need to keep the source files every time in my computer?

What if an excel workbook that contains the embed files is sent through email, this way I also don't have access to the source files on my computers either. So the errors keep popping up.

Is there any solutions for this issue?

TQ.

Answer 2

Thank you for your response. I've tried to replicate it again on my end, and got a different result, I've deleted the source file from my computer > access the file where the source file is inserted, and I didn't get the error messages.

Have you already performed the troubleshooting steps I've provided on my initial response? 

I would suggest that you start Excel in safe mode, and see if there are add-ins that might be causing this.

If the issue also occurs in safe mode, try repairing Excel. If the issue still persists after repairing Excel, I highly recommend that youreinstall Office. There's a possibility that there are corrupted system files that's hindering Excel to work properly.

If yes, I'd like to know what is the build and version of your Windows and Office. To get this, follow the steps on the articles below:

• Which version of Windows operating system am I running?
• About Office: What version of Office am I using?

Looking forward to your next revert.

Answer 3

Hi,

Everything seems to be working fine now, after the Windows update yesterday.

But I still cannot open the embed files that my client sent to me earlier.

If I create new embed files, there are no issues here anymore.

Thank you.

Answer 4

I received another Windows update today and the problem comes back again.

I'm currently using Windows 10 & Office 2016.

Thanks.