Others

Fix Access Runtime Error 438 with Adobe PDF ActiveX Control

Ayan Masood Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to fix a Runtime Error 438 in Microsoft Access that prevents a valid PDF file from rendering inside a form.

How to Fix Access Runtime Error 438 with Adobe PDF ActiveX Control

Product: Access 365
Device & OS: Windows 10
Scenario: A user is attempting to assign a valid PDF file path to an Adobe PDF Reader ActiveX control located on an Access 365 form.
Observed behavior: The application throws Runtime Error 438 indicating the object doesn't support the property or method, and the control fails to display the PDF document.

Before you start

Verify whether your Access 365 installation is 32-bit or 64-bit via File > Account > About Access, as ActiveX controls are highly architecture-dependent and require a matching Adobe Reader version.

Solution 1Recommended

Update the VBA Property for the Adobe Control

Use this solution if you are migrating older code. Newer versions of the Adobe ActiveX component often drop support for the older .Source property in favor of .src or .LoadFile.

Runtime Error 438 occurs when Access attempts to call a property or method that no longer exists in the loaded object. For the Adobe PDF Reader control, the widely used 'Source' property has been deprecated in many recent updates.

Open the VBA Editor

In Access, open your form in Design View. Press ALT + F11 to launch the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.

Locate the failing property assignment

Find the line of code that triggers the error, which typically looks like 'Me.YourPDFControl.Source = FilePath'.

Modify the property syntax

Change the property name from '.Source' to '.src'. The new line should read 'Me.YourPDFControl.src = FilePath'. Alternatively, you can use the method 'Me.YourPDFControl.LoadFile (FilePath)'.

Compile and save

Click Debug > Compile Database in the top menu to ensure there are no syntax errors, then save your code and test the form.

Update the VBA Property for the Adobe Control

Check Control Name: Ensure the control name referenced in your VBA code exactly matches the Name property of the Adobe ActiveX control on your form.

Solution 2

Replace ActiveX with a WebBrowser Control

Use this solution if the ActiveX control remains unstable. The native WebBrowser control handles PDF rendering more reliably across different Office bit versions.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage PDFs and Documents Effortlessly with WPS Office

While Microsoft Access troubleshooting involves dealing with complex ActiveX errors and bit-architecture limits, you can simplify your workflow with WPS Office. As a free, lightweight suite, it handles Office formats and PDF documents flawlessly without relying on unstable legacy controls.

1. Download the suite: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install in minutes: Run the setup file and follow the quick installation prompts to configure WPS Office on your computer.
3. Handle PDFs natively: Open WPS PDF to view, annotate, or edit your PDF files smoothly, completely bypassing the need for complex database integrations.

Built-in advanced PDF reader and editor out of the boxHigh compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsLightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-use tabbed interfaceCompletely free core features for seamless document creation and migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes Runtime Error 438 in Access?

Runtime Error 438, 'Object doesn't support this property or method', occurs when VBA attempts to execute a command on an object that does not recognize it. This often happens with ActiveX controls when an older property, like 'Source', is removed in a software update.

How do I check if my Access 365 is 32-bit or 64-bit?

Open Microsoft Access and click on File in the top left corner. Select Account, then click the 'About Access' button. The dialog box will display the full version number and indicate whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit.

Why does the WebBrowser control work better than the Adobe ActiveX control?

The WebBrowser control utilizes your Windows default web rendering engine and default PDF handler. It is far less sensitive to 32-bit/64-bit mismatches and does not rely on third-party Adobe COM properties that frequently change or become unsupported.

What is a fully qualified PDF path in Access?

A fully qualified path includes the complete drive letter, directory tree, and file name with the extension, such as 'C:\Users\Documents\Invoice.pdf'. Access requires this absolute path to reliably locate and load the document into a viewer control.

Office Quick Solutions