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How to Fix Embedded PDF in Excel Will Not Open
Question details
The user is unable to open a PDF file embedded as an object within a Microsoft 365 Excel workbook, despite the same object opening successfully when copied to Microsoft Word.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to open or interact with an embedded PDF object directly from an Excel spreadsheet.
- Observed behavior
- Excel fails to extract or launch the embedded PDF file in Adobe Acrobat, often resulting in errors like 'Cannot start the source application for this object'.
Ensure that you have a dedicated PDF reader, such as Adobe Acrobat, properly installed on your computer and that the original PDF file opens normally outside of Excel.
Set Adobe Acrobat as the Default PDF Reader
Ensure your operating system knows which application should handle PDF objects, resolving common OLE association errors.
Excel relies on the system's default file associations to launch embedded OLE objects. If the default application for PDFs is unassigned or set to a browser, Excel may fail to open it.
Press the Windows key + I to open Windows Settings, then navigate to 'Apps' > 'Default apps'.
Scroll down and click on 'Choose default apps by file type' or search for '.pdf' in the search bar.
Locate '.pdf' in the list and click the current default application. Change it to Adobe Acrobat or your preferred dedicated PDF reader.
Close Microsoft Excel entirely and reopen your workbook. Double-click the embedded PDF to test if it opens.
Repair or Reinstall Adobe Acrobat
Fix corrupted application files that prevent Excel from successfully launching the source application for the PDF.
Re-embed the PDF Object
Sometimes the initial OLE embedding process corrupts the object link, and inserting a fresh copy can resolve the extraction failure.
Easily Manage and Open Embedded PDFs in WPS Office
Struggling with Excel OLE errors and third-party PDF reader dependencies? Try WPS Office. It integrates a Spreadsheet editor and a powerful built-in PDF reader in one lightweight application, allowing you to seamlessly embed and open PDFs without external software crashes.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the .xlsx file containing the embedded PDF.
- 3. Insert a PDF Object: Go to the 'Insert' tab, click 'Object', select 'Create from file', and browse for your PDF document.
- 4. Open the Embedded PDF: Double-click the PDF icon. WPS Office will instantly open it in a new tab using its native PDF reader.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does an embedded PDF open in Word but not in Excel?
Word and Excel handle Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) slightly differently. Excel can sometimes struggle to extract the temporary file into the correct directory if the system's PDF file association is broken or if Adobe Acrobat's background processes are failing.
What does 'Cannot start the source application for this object' mean in Excel?
This error indicates that Microsoft Excel cannot find, launch, or communicate with the program required to open the embedded file. Setting Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF viewer and repairing its installation typically resolves this.
How can I safely extract an embedded PDF that won't open in Excel?
If the PDF object opens successfully in Microsoft Word, you can copy the problematic icon from Excel, paste it into a blank Word document, double-click to open it, and then save the PDF from the reader to your local drive.
