Question OLE Error with Embedding Excel Sheet

[Sinfathisar]

I just recently started getting the dreaded OLE object operation failed error message. I am using Access 2007 with Windows XP Pro.

The operation on the OLE object failed.
The OLE server may not be registered.
To register the OLE server, reinstall it.

This error is occurring when I attempt to use the unbound object frame to insert an .xls file (create from file) into a form or report as an embedded object. I do not get the error when I link the object or when I create a new .xls.

It seems there are several occurrances of this error floating around forums, but I haven't found one that deals with Access 2007 specifically.

I did find Microsoft's help article #896865 (which is targeted towards older versions of Access) and I ran regsvr32.exe "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Triedit\Triedit.dll". It succeeded but did not fix my problem.

I also checked the reference libraries in Visual Basic and turned on ones relating to excel. Also did not fix the problem. (I also checked with a coworker who is not having this OLE problem to see which reference libraries were turned on in his Visual Basic - they were no different from mine).

My company outsources its IT so we use Symantec AntiVirus - which I checked to see if I could find a possible script blocker. There were none.

I have also tried repairing and reinstalling my MS Office Suite after I began getting the error.

I haven't found any other suggestions or help reading other posts concerning the various OLE problems people have had, and i would really appreciate if anyone has any other ideas for me to try out.

Thanks in advance,
~Jen

 

[Sinfathisar]

Answer: OLE Error with Embedding Excel Sheet

Well I took a copy of the database I am working on home and tried to embedd an ole object on a couple of computers - I was a bit suprised to find that I was still not able to embedd the OLE object, especially since some of my coworkers seemed to have no problem doing this.

I discovered that Ctrl/Shift+i will reveal the actual error number when you receive an error (which is inconveniently hidden in Access 2007 - apparently it is too ugly to display).

The error I received was 502750. I quickly did a google search on "ole error 502750" and the first hit gave me my answer.

http://help.wugnet.com/office2/insert-OLE-documents-Access-2007-ftopict835047.html
~thank you to Nathan, who figured it out.

Here is what Nathan discovered:
ole32.dll searches for a registry key called HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}. If this key does not exist, then things continue normally and eventually the file will be attached. If this key does exist, however, Access will give the error message. Deleting that key solves the problem, and attachments can be made.
Also, apparantly Spybot Search & Destroy (and some other virus scanners) puts this key in there to protect you, but Microsoft decided to use this key in Office version 2007.

It just so happens that I recently installed Spybot on my work pc - and I use it on my home computers as well. I ran regedit and deleted the aforementioned key - everything ran smoothly after that.

Thanks again to Nathan - I don't mean to just steal your work and post it as mine - I am just hoping to spread the word for any others who might run across this problem and need an answer.

 

[robstradamus]

Sooo.... what if you have the problem but not the registry key? I checked the registry but found no offending key.
I'm VERY new to Access and this issue is driving me mad.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[thatlemhome]

Have same problem. What did you use to run regedit? When I click on the file it asks me for a file type selection, but cannot file anything in the list that looks applicable and web is no help. Did you run from command prompt?

thanks

 

[DCrake]

To run regedit go to Start Run then type in Regedit this is an exe that is in your windows system32 folder. You can then do a search for the key there.

David