Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Excel OM Shortcut Error (excelOMQMV5.xlam Moved or Changed)

Muhammad Talha Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to fix an error where the Excel OM add-in shortcut fails to work, reporting that the add-in file has been moved or changed.

How to Fix Excel OM Shortcut Error (excelOMQMV5.xlam Moved or Changed)

Product: Microsoft 365 / Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening Excel or Microsoft 365 after a reinstallation, and attempting to run the Excel OM add-in via a shortcut.
Observed behavior: The application returns an error stating that the 'excelOMQMV5.xlam' file was moved or changed, preventing the add-in from loading.

Before you start

Verify that you have administrative privileges on your computer to check application installation paths and ensure you know the exact version of the Excel OM add-in you installed.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Add-in File Path and Update the Shortcut

Check if the excelOMQMV5.xlam file still exists in its original installation folder and update the broken shortcut to point to the correct path.

Reinstalling Microsoft 365 can sometimes alter default folder structures or reset application paths. If the add-in file remains intact but the shortcut points to an outdated location, the add-in will fail to load.

Locate the Add-in File

Open File Explorer and navigate to the default Microsoft Add-ins folder, typically located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\AddIns, or the specific installation folder chosen for Excel OM, to see if 'excelOMQMV5.xlam' is present.

Check Shortcut Properties

Right-click the broken Excel OM shortcut on your desktop or Start menu and select 'Properties'.

Update the Target Path

In the 'Shortcut' tab, verify the path in the 'Target' field. If it does not match the actual location of your .xlam file, update it to the correct path, click 'Apply', and then 'OK'.

Verify Add-in File Path and Update the Shortcut

Quick Fix: If the file is entirely missing from your computer, you will need to redownload and reinstall the Excel OM add-in from the official provider.

Solution 2

Test Add-in Integrity and Request Specialized Support

Determine if the add-in file itself is corrupted by testing it on a different computer, and consult Microsoft's developer community for further help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel say my .xlam file has been moved or changed?

This typically happens when an application shortcut is trying to load an add-in from its original installation path, but the file was either deleted, quarantined by antivirus software, or relocated during a software update or Microsoft 365 reinstallation.

How do I completely remove a broken add-in from Excel?

Go to File > Options > Add-ins in Excel. Select 'Excel Add-ins' in the Manage drop-down at the bottom and click 'Go...'. Uncheck the missing add-in from the list. Excel will prompt you to remove it from the list entirely since it cannot find the associated file.

Can I run the Excel OM add-in in WPS Office?

While WPS Office Spreadsheets offers extensive support for VBA macros and complex formulas, proprietary third-party add-ins like Excel OM may require Microsoft-specific libraries. You should check the add-in provider's official documentation for specific compatibility with WPS Office.

How do I find the default Add-ins folder in Windows?

By default, Microsoft Office stores user add-ins in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\AddIns. You can paste this path into your File Explorer address bar (replacing [YourUsername] with your actual computer username) to check if your .xlam file is still present.

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