'%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 a Script Error in an Excel Form Browser Control
Question details
Users encounter a syntax or script error when trying to run an Excel application that relies on a form browser control for two-factor authentication.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- A New Relic monitoring script or similar website script was recently added to the server portal, and the embedded Excel browser control cannot validate or execute it during the authentication process.
- Observed behavior
- The Excel form browser control fails to load properly and displays a pop-up warning stating that a "Syntax error" or script error has occurred.
Close all active instances of Microsoft Excel and ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows computer, as you will need to modify system-wide Internet Options.
Disable Script Error Notifications in Internet Options
Use this temporary workaround to bypass the script error pop-up so you can proceed with the two-factor authentication process.
Since Excel's legacy form browser control relies on Windows Internet settings, disabling script debugging and error notifications at the system level will stop the pop-up from appearing, allowing the rest of the application to function if the script isn't critical.
Click the Windows Start menu, type "Control Panel," and open it. Navigate to "Network and Internet," then click on "Internet Options."
In the Internet Properties window, click on the "Advanced" tab located at the top right.
Scroll down to the "Browsing" section. Check the boxes next to "Disable script debugging (Internet Explorer)" and "Disable script debugging (Other)."
Uncheck the box that says "Display a notification about every script error," then click "Apply" and "OK" to save your changes.
Clear Temporary Internet Files
Clearing the local cache forces the embedded browser control to fetch the latest version of the webpage, which may resolve the issue if the faulty script has been removed.
Coordinate with the Website Administrator
Resolve the root cause by updating components and addressing the script compatibility issue directly with the server portal administrators.
Switch to WPS Office for a Modern, Error-Free Spreadsheet Experience
If embedded browser controls and legacy script errors in Microsoft Excel are disrupting your workflow, consider trying WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for handling your spreadsheets without the hassle of legacy component conflicts.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installer.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing Excel files to continue working seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I getting a syntax error in an Excel browser control?
This typically occurs when a webpage loaded inside Excel's embedded browser control contains modern code (like a tracking or monitoring script) that the legacy browser engine cannot parse or validate, resulting in a syntax error.
Will disabling script errors fix my two-factor authentication login issue?
Disabling script error notifications only hides the warning pop-up. If the authentication process heavily relies on the script that failed to execute, you may still be unable to log in until the website administrator fixes the code.
How do I update Excel's embedded browser components?
You can update these components by keeping your Windows operating system fully updated via Windows Update. This ensures that the underlying Internet Explorer and Edge WebView2 runtime components used by Office applications are on their latest versions.
