Are you trying to open an Excel file but keep getting an error message about an OLE action? If so, youre not alone.
Many users have faced this same issue, but it can be solved! In this step-by-step guide, youll learn how to fix Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors quickly and easily.
Well cover topics such as how to open the file in a different program, how to use the Open and Repair tool in Excel, how to re-link the object to the Excel file, and more.
So, if youre ready to solve your Microsoft Excel OLE Action issues, lets get started!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
1. First, try restarting Excel and your computer.
2. If that doesn’t work, try resetting Excel’s options. To do this, open Excel, go to the File menu, click Options, and then select the Reset button.
3. If the problem persists, try repairing or reinstalling Microsoft Office.
4. If all else fails, you may need to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.
What Are Microsoft Excel OLE Action Errors?
Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors occur when Excel files are unable to access linked objects, or when the file is unable to be opened.
OLE stands for Object Linking and Embedding, and is a technology that allows files created in one application to be embedded in or linked to another application.
In the case of Microsoft Excel, this technology allows users to link information or objects from other applications into their Excel workbooks.
However, if something goes wrong with the linked object, or if the file itself is corrupted, users may encounter an OLE Action error.
These errors can manifest in a variety of ways, including an error message when a user attempts to open a file, an error message when a user attempts to access a linked object, or a file that simply won’t open.
In any case, these errors can be frustrating and confusing, as they can be difficult to troubleshoot and fix.
Fortunately, there are a few steps users can take to try and resolve the issue.
How to Open the File in a Different Program
When Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors occur, the first step to take is to open the file in a different program.
This is a simple troubleshooting step that can help identify the root cause of the issue.
For example, if the file can be opened in Notepad or another text editor, then the issue could be related to an outdated version of Excel.
On the other hand, if the file is unreadable in another program, then the issue could be related to a corrupt file.
To open the file in a different program, first locate the file in the File Explorer.
Right-click the file and select Open With.
From the options that appear, select the program in which you would like to open the file.
If the program is not in the list, then click Choose another app and select the program of your choice.
Once the file is opened in the other program, check to see if it is readable.
If the file is unreadable, then the issue is likely related to a corrupt file.
In this case, the next step is to try to repair the file using the Open and Repair tool in Excel.
How to Use the Open and Repair Tool in Excel
The Open and Repair tool in Excel is a useful tool for fixing Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors.
This tool can be accessed by opening the File menu, selecting Open, and then clicking the Open and Repair option.
Once opened, the tool will attempt to fix any issues with the file.
If the file is successfully repaired, it will be opened in Excel.
However, if the issue still persists, users will have to try other methods to troubleshoot and fix the issue.
When using the Open and Repair tool, users should make sure to save a copy of the file before attempting to repair it.
This is because the repair may not be successful, and the data may be lost.
Additionally, users should also try to open the file in other programs, such as Notepad, before using the Open and Repair tool.
This way, users can ensure that the issue is related to Excel, and not the file itself.
Finally, users should also try to open the file in a different version of Excel.
This is because the issue may be related to the version of Excel being used.
If the file can be opened in a different version, users should then try to open the file in the original version of Excel.
This may help to fix the issue.
By using the Open and Repair tool in Excel, users can troubleshoot and fix Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors.
This tool is a useful tool for resolving issues with Excel files, and can help users to restore their files to their original state.
How to Re-Create the Linked Object
When dealing with Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors, re-creating the linked object is a potential solution.
This involves creating a new object and linking it to the Excel file.
To start, the user should locate and open the object that the Excel file was originally linked to.
Depending on the type of object, the user may need to open a new program, such as a word processing or drawing program.
Once the object is open, the user needs to create a new version of the object, making sure to save it in a location that the Excel file can access.
This can be done by clicking on the Save As option in the objects file menu.
Next, the user should open the Excel file, go to the Data tab, and select the Edit Links option.
Finally, the user should select the old object, click Change Source, and then select the new object.
By taking these steps, users can re-create the linked object and link it back to the Excel file.
This should resolve the Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors.
It is important to note that the user should be careful when re-creating the linked object as it can have a significant impact on the integrity of the data.
Additionally, the user should ensure that they are linking the correct object as linking the wrong object could have serious implications.
How to Re-Link the Object to the Excel File
Re-linking the object to the Excel file can be an effective way to fix Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors.
This can be done by first deleting the existing link between the Excel file and the linked object, and then creating a new link.
To do this, open the Excel file and select the cell containing the linked object.
Right-click the cell and select the Edit Links option.
This will open the Edit Links window, which will show any links that are connected to the Excel file.
Select the link you would like to delete and click Break Link.
Once the link is deleted, you can create a new link.
Right-click the cell and select the Link option.
This will open the Link window, where you can browse for the file you would like to link.
Once you have selected the file, click OK and the link should be established.
This should fix any Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors you were experiencing.
How to Restore an Earlier Version of the Excel File
If all else fails, it may be necessary to restore an earlier version of the Excel file in order to fix Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors.
This can be done by using the version history feature in Microsoft Excel.
To access version history, users should open the Excel file, click on File, select Info, and then select Version History.
This will open a list of all the versions that have been saved of the file.
Users can then select the version they wish to restore and click the Restore button to restore it.
As a final step, users should save the file to confirm the changes.
This should fix any OLE Action errors that were present in the file.
It is important to note that version history is only available in Excel files that are stored in the cloud, such as Microsoft OneDrive.
If the Excel file is not stored in the cloud, the version history feature will not be available and users will have to find an alternative way to fix the OLE Action errors.
Restoring an earlier version of the Excel file is a great way to troubleshoot and fix Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors.
However, it is important to remember that this should be done as a last resort, as restoring an earlier version of the file may cause any changes made after the version was saved to be lost.
Troubleshooting Tips to Remember
When troubleshooting Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors, it is important to remember a few key tips.
First, make sure the version of Excel you are using is up to date.
Outdated versions of Excel can cause OLE Action errors.
Additionally, make sure all other applications on your computer are up to date as well.
Next, check to make sure the file you are trying to open is in the correct file format.
Excel OLE Action errors can occur if the file you are trying to open is not in the correct format.
If the file is not in the correct format, you may need to convert it to the correct format before you can open it.
Finally, double-check to make sure the file you are trying to open is not corrupted.
Corrupted files can cause Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors.
To check if the file is corrupted, try opening the file in a different program, such as Notepad.
If the file cannot be opened, then it is likely corrupted.
By following these tips, you can troubleshoot and fix Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors.
Additionally, if all else fails, you can try restoring an earlier version of the Excel file.
This may help to resolve the issue.
Final Thoughts
Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors can be frustrating, but with the steps outlined in this guide, users should be able to fix the issue and get back to work.
Remember to try to open the file in a different program, use the Open and Repair tool, re-create the linked object, re-link it to the Excel file, and restore an earlier version of the Excel file if all else fails.
By following these steps, you can troubleshoot and fix Microsoft Excel OLE Action errors with ease.