'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Fix Cannot Open an Embedded PDF in Excel on Another Computer
Question details
Users are unable to open a PDF that has been embedded in an Excel workbook when the file is shared with or opened on a different computer.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Sharing an Excel workbook containing an embedded PDF via email or transferring it to a different computer.
- Observed behavior
- Excel displays the error message 'Cannot start the source application for this object' when the user double-clicks the embedded PDF icon.
Verify that the destination computer has a default PDF reader installed, as Excel relies on an external application to act as the source to open the embedded PDF.
Verify and Re-Embed the PDF as a Document Object
Ensure the PDF is fully embedded into the Excel file rather than just linked to a local file path on the original computer.
If a file is only linked, Excel tries to look for the PDF on the recipient's local hard drive using the original file path. When sharing workbooks, you must embed the actual file so it travels with the Excel document.
Open the original Excel file on the computer where the PDF was first added and delete the PDF object that is failing to open for others.
Go to the 'Insert' tab on the Excel ribbon, look for the 'Text' group, and click on 'Object'.
In the Object dialog box, select the 'Create from File' tab and click 'Browse' to locate your PDF.
Make sure the 'Link to file' checkbox is strictly unchecked. Optionally, check 'Display as icon'. Click 'OK' to embed the file completely.
Upload and Share via Cloud Storage
Bypass embedding issues by storing both the Excel file and the source PDF in a shared cloud folder.
Set Default PDF Reader on the Destination Computer
Fix the source application error by configuring a default PDF handler on the computer displaying the error.
Embed and Open PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Avoid broken links and missing application errors when sharing files. WPS Office is a comprehensive suite that features a built-in PDF reader, allowing you to embed, open, and share PDFs inside spreadsheets natively without relying on external software.
- 1. Open your spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the file where you want to embed the document.
- 2. Insert the PDF: Navigate to the 'Insert' tab, click 'Object', select 'Create from file', and choose your PDF.
- 3. Save and share: Save the file. Because WPS Office handles both spreadsheets and PDFs, recipients using WPS can open the embedded file flawlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel say 'Cannot start the source application for this object'?
This error typically occurs because the computer opening the Excel file does not have a PDF reader installed, the PDF application is damaged, or the default program associations for PDF files are not correctly configured.
How can I tell if a PDF is embedded or just linked in Excel?
Right-click the PDF icon in Excel. If the context menu displays 'Linked Object' options and a specific file path on your hard drive, it is linked. If it simply says 'Document Object' or 'Acrobat Document Object', it is fully embedded.
Does embedding a PDF increase the size of the Excel file?
Yes. When you embed a PDF without checking 'Link to file', a complete copy of the PDF is stored inside the Excel workbook. This increases the total file size proportionally to the size of the embedded PDF.
Can I open an embedded PDF if I only use a web browser to view PDFs?
Usually, no. Microsoft Excel's Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) feature generally requires a dedicated desktop application to act as the source server. Web browsers often cannot fulfill this role, leading to errors.
