Cannot open Excel files from OneNote if Excel is already open

Question

We have run into an issue where if you already have Excel open, then navigate to a OneNote notebook, find an Excel file that is stored in said notebook and then try to open the excel file you get an error.

However, if we close Excel, and then go back to the file in the OneNote notebook and try to open it, it will open just fine without any error.

Is anyone else experiencing this, or has experienced it in the past?

Any suggestions for a fix?

Answer 1

Dear Chris DeSchepper,  

Good day!!  

As per the description shared, I understand your concern i.e., when you open the attached Excel spreadsheet from the OneDrive you will encounter an error message when the Excel is already opened, and I have tested the behavior at my end with the latest version of Semi-Annual channel by inserting the Excel spreadsheet via OneNote 365 app (Insert tab> Spreadsheet> Existing Spreadsheet> Attached as file).  

When we open the attached file from the OneNote app when the inserted Excel spreadsheet is opened and Excel app is opened, the attached file is opened without any issue. In this situation, I suggest you perform Online Repair to the Office apps and check the outcome. Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/repair-an-office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b

If the problem persists, can you please share the screenshot of the OneNote app Account page. Open the OneNote app> File> Account> Take a complete screenshot and share it with us.  

Thanks for your patience and understanding.  

Best Regards,

Answer 2

I had done the repair before but did not mention it. I went ahead and tried it again, but the issue still persisted. Screenshot of OneNote page as requested.

Answer 3

Anyone have any updates, or suggestions on what I can try?

Answer 4

We are still experiencing this issue. If there is any spreadsheet open and you attempt to open a spreadsheet from a OneNote notebook it will not open. Even if you have a spreadsheet open from one OneNote and attempt to open another OneNote spreadsheet it will not open it.

It is locking the number of Excel files that can be opened in the Temp\OneNote directory to just one. This cannot be correct. Multiple Excel files should be able to be opened and editable from OneNote or a combination of Excel App and OneNote App. How do we fix this?

Answer 5

Yes, just started happening today. Is this a defect on Microsoft's side?