Embedded Files in an Excel Document - Cannot start the source application for this object.

SoulStrider12345 6 Reputation points
2022-03-23T11:45:39.287+00:00

Hello,

I have an excel document from a client that has some embedded files in it (.pdf, .docx, .html).
All of the embedded files on the excel document at the moment will not open, every time I go to open a file it says:
Cannot stat the source application for this object.

All the files are embedded inside the excel document, they are not links to external documents.

Any help would be greatly appricated.

Excel Management
Excel Management
Excel: A family of Microsoft spreadsheet software with tools for analyzing, charting, and communicating data.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
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  1. Emily Hua-MSFT 27,506 Reputation points
    2022-03-24T02:58:23.67+00:00

    Hi @SoulStrider12345 ,

    Which version of Office is your client using? And yours?
    I suggest you create a new Excel workbook on your local machine, then insert objects (Such as Word document, PDF files) and open them for a test.
    I would also suggest the PDF reader on your machine and the PDF editor on clients' machine should be from the same software development company.

    > All the files are embedded inside the excel document, they are not links to external documents.

    Do you mean those object are displayed as icon, the "Link to file" is not ticked when inserting?

    It's recommended to disable protected view temporarily.
    If there is any security software, it is recommended to temporarily quit it.


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  2. SoulStrider12345 6 Reputation points
    2022-03-24T08:58:04.547+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for your reply.

    I am using the latest version of Office 365 and they are using Home Office 2019.
    If we remove the embedded documents and re-embed them we are able to view the documents however the issue is that where they have embedded the documents into the excel document (they are not linked to a file) and have made some adjustments to those files we can't remove and re-embed them as it wont be the right version.

    Yes, that is correct, when they embedded the files they unticked Link to File.

    Thanks