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

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: 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.

1,708 questions Sign in to follow 1 comment Hide comments for this question Report a concern I have the same question I have the same question 1 vote Icyapple13 1 Reputation point 2022-08-25T12:21:38.797+00:00

Downloading Adobe Acrobat DC resolved this issue for me. I had switched to a new computer and encountered this problem.
I finally noticed that my old computer had this program and the new one did not.
Easy fix and hope it works for others.

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Emily Hua-MSFT 27,636 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.
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