VBA & Macro Problems

How to Fix Excel VBA Macro Not Opening New Outlook

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to automate opening and controlling the New Outlook application using an Excel VBA macro, but standard methods fail to launch it.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Running an Excel VBA script containing Outlook.exe or CreateObject("Outlook.Application") to automate email generation.
Observed behavior: The VBA macro fails to launch New Outlook because the new application version does not support the COM automation interfaces required by the code.

Before you start

Verify whether you have both the 'New Outlook' and 'Outlook Classic' applications installed on your system, as VBA scripts interact with them differently.

Solution 1Recommended

Switch Back to Outlook Classic for VBA Automation

Since New Outlook lacks COM support, continuing to use Outlook Classic is the most direct way to keep your existing VBA macros functioning.

New Outlook is built on modern web technologies and completely drops support for the COM automation interfaces. Standard VBA methods like CreateObject("Outlook.Application") rely on these legacy interfaces. To run your existing macros without rewriting the code entirely, you must revert to using Outlook Classic.

Open New Outlook

Launch the 'New Outlook' application on your Windows desktop.

Locate the toggle switch

Look for the 'New Outlook' toggle switch situated in the top right corner of the application window.

Turn off New Outlook

Click the toggle to turn it off. The application will close and relaunch the Outlook Classic desktop client.

Run your VBA macro

Open your Excel workbook and run the VBA macro again. The CreateObject function will now successfully target the classic Outlook desktop application.

Missing Toggle Switch: If the toggle is missing, you may need to open Outlook Classic directly from your Windows Start menu or contact your IT administrator to allow access to the classic version.

Solution 2

Redesign Workflow with Modern Web-Based Tools

If you must use New Outlook or your organization is deprecating Outlook Classic, you will need to replace your VBA macro with modern automation tools.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Seamless and Free Spreadsheet Experience

While Microsoft transitions to web-based apps that can break legacy VBA workflows, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for managing your spreadsheets and daily office tasks. It features a familiar interface, ensuring a smooth transition without the heavy subscription fees.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install the software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
3. Open your spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing Excel files to continue your work without formatting loss.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formats.Supports essential spreadsheet formulas, charting, and data analysis tools.Lightweight software with fast installation and minimal system resource usage.Familiar user interface requiring zero learning curve for Office users.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does CreateObject("Outlook.Application") return an error in New Outlook?

New Outlook is fundamentally a web-based application and drops support for the Component Object Model (COM) interface. Because standard VBA functions like CreateObject rely entirely on COM to communicate with desktop apps, they fail to recognize or launch New Outlook.

Can I use VBA to send emails directly in New Outlook?

No, VBA automation is not supported in New Outlook. To send emails via automation, you must either switch back to Outlook Classic or migrate your workflow to modern tools like Microsoft Power Automate or the Microsoft Graph API.

Will Microsoft add VBA support to New Outlook in the future?

Microsoft has indicated that New Outlook will focus on web add-ins and cloud-based integrations. There are no plans to introduce legacy COM or VBA support to the new application.

How do I switch back to Outlook Classic?

You can easily switch back by toggling off the 'New Outlook' switch located in the top right corner of the New Outlook application window. Once toggled off, the classic desktop version will relaunch.

Excel & Data Problems