Err Msg: "Word Cannot Edit the Microsoft Excel Worksheet"

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c

SUMMARY

When you edit a Microsoft Excel Worksheet object in Microsoft Word for Windows, after you install Microsoft Excel version 5.0 over Microsoft Excel version 4.0, you receive the following error message:

   Word cannot edit the Microsoft Excel Worksheet

   Word cannot edit the Microsoft Excel 5.0 Worksheet

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if the following entry is missing from the Microsoft Excel Worksheet key in your REG.DAT file:

   AutoConvertTo={00020810-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

Note that similar behavior occurs with a Microsoft Excel Chart or Macro sheet object.

WORKAROUND

To correct this behavior, you must run the Microsoft Excel 5.0 Setup program to first remove Microsoft Excel version 5.0, and then reinstall it on your computer. You must run the Setup program because the AutoConvertTo entry is only added when you run the Setup program. This entry is not automatically added when you run Microsoft Excel, or when you merge the EXCEL5.REG file into the REG.DAT file.

MORE INFORMATION

A similar error message appears when you edit a Microsoft Excel Worksheet object under the conditions described above in another Windows application, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Access, or Microsoft Project.