How to Fix Missing DTPicker Calendar Control in Excel VBA
Question details
The user is unable to find or enable the Microsoft Date and Time Picker control in Excel VBA, even after downloading the MSCOMCT2.OCX file.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to insert a date picker calendar control into an Excel VBA UserForm.
- Observed behavior
- The DTPicker control is missing from the VBA toolbox due to compatibility limitations with modern Office architecture (such as 64-bit environments) or the operating system.
Verify whether you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Microsoft Office via File > Account > About Excel, as the legacy DTPicker control is strictly limited to 32-bit Office environments.
Register MSCOMCT2.OCX for 32-bit Office
If you are running 32-bit Excel, manually register the downloaded OCX file using the Command Prompt to make the control available.
The DTPicker control relies on the MSCOMCT2.OCX library. Even if downloaded, Windows does not automatically recognize it until it is registered via the system command line.
Move the downloaded MSCOMCT2.OCX file to C:\Windows\System32. If you are using a 64-bit version of Windows but 32-bit Office, place it in C:\Windows\SysWOW64 instead.
Click the Windows Start menu, type 'cmd', right-click on 'Command Prompt', and select 'Run as administrator'.
Type 'regsvr32 C:\Windows\System32\mscomct2.ocx' (or use the SysWOW64 path) and press Enter. A success message should appear indicating the control was registered.
Open Excel, press ALT + F11 to launch the VBA Editor. Insert a UserForm, right-click the Toolbox, select 'Additional Controls', check 'Microsoft Date and Time Picker Control', and click OK.
Implement Alternative Date Pickers for 64-bit Excel
Since the legacy ActiveX DTPicker control is fundamentally incompatible with 64-bit Excel, you must utilize a modern alternative.
Use WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Management
Legacy ActiveX controls like DTPicker often face 32-bit/64-bit compatibility hurdles in Microsoft Excel. Switch to WPS Office for a lightweight, highly compatible spreadsheet environment that focuses on modern, hassle-free data entry without relying on outdated VBA architectures.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up WPS Spreadsheets on your device.
- 3. Open your files: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing Excel workbooks seamlessly to continue working without compatibility interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is MSCOMCT2.OCX not registering on my computer?
This typically occurs if the Command Prompt is not run as an Administrator, or if the file was placed in the incorrect system directory. Ensure you use the SysWOW64 folder on a 64-bit Windows machine running 32-bit Office.
Can I force the DTPicker control to work in Excel 64-bit?
No, the Microsoft Date and Time Picker (contained in MSCOMCT2.OCX) is exclusively a 32-bit legacy control. It is architecturally incompatible with 64-bit versions of Excel, and you must use a non-ActiveX alternative.
Where can I find the Additional Controls option in Excel VBA?
In the VBA Editor, you must first insert or open a UserForm so the Toolbox window appears. Right-click anywhere on the blank space of the Toolbox palette and select 'Additional Controls' from the context menu to locate your registered controls.
