Runtime error 5 when I try to use shell function in Excel VBA

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Runtime error 5 when I try to use shell function in Excel VBA

Jason Liu 0

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I am trying to execute a python script using shell function in VBA to directly run the cmd prompt. But it always returns Runtime error '5' Invalid procedure call or argument.

At first I thought it might be because the python script is not allowed. Then I create a BAT file to wrap up the cmd prompt and try to execute it in VBA using Shell. It returned the same error.

I can successfully run the python script using the exact same command in cmd window. I can also call Notepad.exe using shell, which I think means that the shell is functioning.

Strange thing is that I can run the exact same code two weeks before successfully. I haven't made any changes to the files and when I try to run the code this Monday, it suddenly wouldn't work.

What will be the problem?

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Answer 1

Daniel-Vo 1,500 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Dear @Jason Liu,

Good day to you and thanks for your post in Microsoft Q&A. I'm sorry for the inconvenience you've encountered. To better assist you, could you please provide more details such as:

What type of your account do you use? Personal or created by organization - school/company?
Would you mind sharing me a screenshot of your issue? Besides that, would you mind giving me a detail of your code?
What version do you use?

Regarding your description, I tried to create a simple VBA to call a python script and have some tips that you can consider:

It needs to have a full path to python.exe. Example: C:\Python312\python.exe not just a python
Same as the python script.
I would like to attach an article on Stack Overflow relate to your issue. https://stackoverflow.com/questions/18135551/how-can-i-call-a-python-script-on-excel-vba

Once again, I sincerely apologize for the unpleasant experience. I look forward to your information and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me - I’ll be happy to assist you. Wishing you a wonderful day.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Jason Liu 0 Reputation points

2025-07-29T06:33:12.08+00:00
Thank you Daniel for your answer!

To provide you with more details:

My account is under a company organization. So there might be some permission or security issue but I don't know how to check my privilege.

The excel version is Microsoft® Excel® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2505 Build 16.0.18827.20102) 64-bit

Above are the screenshots of the issue.

For the python integration approach you've recommended, I've tried similar ways but it still won't work.

One thing I find really interesting is that I could use Shell to open Notepad but not Calculator, which appears strange to me because in my understanding they will most likely return same results whether successful or not. I think there might be some permission or security issue. But again, I haven't changed the scripts and the codes and it just suddenly won't work anymore.

Thanks!
Daniel-Vo 1,500 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-29T07:16:58.65+00:00

Dear @Jason Liu,

Good day to you and thanks for your post in Microsoft Q&A. I'm sorry for the inconvenience you've encountered.

Thank you for your provided information. Based on your image, a part of line of code: "start calculator:" seems unusual. Please check again if there is any syntax problem, i feel colon is the problem causing the error

Once again, I sincerely apologize for the unpleasant experience. I look forward to your information and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me - I’ll be happy to assist you. Wishing you a wonderful day.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.
Daniel-Vo 1,500 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-01T14:30:49.5733333+00:00

Dear @Jason Liu,

Good day to you and thanks for your post in Microsoft Q&A. I'm sorry for the inconvenience you've encountered.

I am following up to inquire about the current status of your issue. I remain available and look forward to your response.

Once again, I sincerely apologize for the unpleasant experience. I look forward to your information and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me - I’ll be happy to assist you. Wishing you a wonderful day.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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Runtime error 5 when I try to use shell function in Excel VBA

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