Is MSCOMCT2.OCX Compatible with 64-Bit Excel? Troubleshooting & Alternatives
Question details
The user wants to know if the MSCOMCT2.OCX calendar control is compatible with 64-bit Excel and how to resolve the issue of the control failing to load.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to open a workbook containing a legacy calendar control based on MSCOMCT2.OCX in a 64-bit version of Microsoft Office.
- Observed behavior
- The calendar control works properly in 32-bit Office environments but fails to load and triggers compatibility errors in 64-bit Excel because there is no official 64-bit version of the control.
Verify whether your installation of Microsoft Excel is 32-bit or 64-bit by checking your Account settings under 'About Excel', as this determines which ActiveX controls your system can successfully load.
Replace the Control with a Custom VBA UserForm Calendar
Since there is no 64-bit version of MSCOMCT2.OCX available, the most robust solution is to replace the ActiveX control with a custom VBA UserForm calendar designed to work across all architectures.
A custom UserForm entirely bypasses the need for the legacy MSCOMCT2.OCX file. By writing or importing a calendar created natively in VBA, you guarantee that the date-picker functionality will remain intact whether the file is opened on a 32-bit or 64-bit machine.
Locate and download a reliable, user-defined VBA calendar alternative online (often shared as a .frm or .zip file in developer communities).
Open your workbook in Excel and press 'Alt + F11' to launch the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) Editor.
In the Project Explorer panel on the left, right-click your workbook's project name, select 'Import File', and browse to the .frm file you downloaded.
Modify any existing macros that previously referenced the old MSCOMCT2.OCX control so that they now call the newly imported UserForm calendar instead.
Downgrade to the 32-Bit Version of Microsoft Office
If rewriting the code is not an option and the MSCOMCT2.OCX control is absolutely required, you must run the 32-bit version of Microsoft Excel.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Management
Dealing with legacy ActiveX controls and architecture limitations can disrupt your workflow. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for handling your daily spreadsheet tasks without the frustration of complex dependency issues.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the setup file and follow the standard on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing files instantly to continue your work uninterrupted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does MSCOMCT2.OCX work on some computers but not others?
MSCOMCT2.OCX is fundamentally a 32-bit ActiveX control. It will function correctly on computers running a 32-bit installation of Microsoft Excel. However, if the computer is running a 64-bit installation of Excel, the application cannot load 32-bit OCX files, resulting in an error.
Can I download a 64-bit version of MSCOMCT2.OCX anywhere?
No. Microsoft never released an official 64-bit compatible version of the MSCOMCT2.OCX file. Any websites claiming to offer a 64-bit version are likely misleading or providing malicious files. It is best to use VBA alternative controls.
What error messages appear when MSCOMCT2.OCX fails in 64-bit Excel?
You will typically encounter a 'Compile error: Can't find project or library' message when attempting to run macros, or the calendar control itself will be replaced by a red 'X' or remain completely invisible on the worksheet.
How can I check if my Excel is 32-bit or 64-bit?
Open Excel, click on 'File', select 'Account', and then click the 'About Excel' button. The top line of the resulting dialog box will clearly state whether you are running the 32-bit or 64-bit version.
