MS Access "Can't complete the Output operation"

Anonymous
2022-07-16T01:05:33+00:00

I have an Access DB which has a number of reports that can be exported - mostly in .xls format. Starting the last few days, attempting to export the reports for some users results in Runtime Error 2587 - "Can't complete the output operation". This only happens with .xls. All other export formats work without issue - .pdf, .rtf, .txt. I have tried performing exports directly through the ribbon to isolate and ensure there's no syntax or similar issue with my VB code. When attempting to export through the ribbon, the error message still says "Can't complete the output operation". Again, I can export these same reports to all the other available formats from the ribbon with no issue. It's just excel causing the issue.

I cannot replicate this issue on my system which makes troubleshooting difficult. Based on the limited similar issue's I've found posted I have had the end users with this issue attempt running a repair on Office 365 and rebooting their systems with no success. I am not a system admin so my access is limited and am currently waiting on assistance from that department.

Some users are running Win 10, some Win 11. All users have the same Surface pro. All users have Office 365 installed from the same package. I've had users with this issue send me their .mdb to try on my system and the issue goes away - further indicating this is an issue with the particular devices, and not with the database itself.

Logically speaking, it sounds to me like an issue with Office but this is a little above me so looking for some guidance on how I may be able to troubleshoot such an issue, especially being that I can only attempt fixes remotely on other users' systems.

Thank you!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | For business | Other

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2022-07-18T22:41:32+00:00

If you are using Office 365 Current Channel, which is Version 2206, there is an update available, which you can get by choosing File/Account/Office Updates/Update Now. This should take you to Build 15330.20264.

Can anyone who is hitting this problem update to this version, and let us know if you are still seeing a problem with import/export?

Shane Groff

Access Engineering

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

138 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2022-07-21T18:48:00+00:00

    With Current Channel being fixed several days ahead of channels like Monthly Enterprise and Semi-Annual Enterprise, I'd appreciate people's thoughts on which channel is best for IT departments to set Office to be in the future if they are not in a hurry for any new functionality that comes through. The safest options would normally be Semi-Annual Enterprise, but in this instance it is not getting fixed as quickly as Current Channel. So what should I recommend my customers to use?

    I appreciate that it may well have been a case of "all hands on deck" with this recent double-whammy of a bug (.accde/.mde and text/Excel both being messed up) and wanting to get fixes out of the door as quick as they could, but I'm in a bit of a quandary over what to tell customers. In the past I used to ask them to be on Current Channel (so they got any new stuff asap), then recommended Monthly Enterprise, but have had to ask them to go back to Current Channel to get hold of the fixes. I thought Monthly Enterprise would be pretty safe to use.

    I was intending to ask them to go to Monthly Enterprise or Semi-Annual Enterprise once those channels have the fix in place, but if any more bugs come through I really don't want to have to ask them to go to Current Channel again (only to ask them to revert afterwards).

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2022-07-21T18:08:01+00:00

    Wow!

    That fixed it.

    Updated to 2206 Build 15330-20264 from xxxx-20246

    Thank you so much!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2022-07-21T17:39:27+00:00

    I am getting the same error today. Here is my code:

    DoCmd.SendObject acSendReport, _ 

                    "rptWAGNonMembers", acFormatRTF, "******@xyz.org; ,, \_ 

                    , strEMailSubject, strEMailMessage

    Image

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2022-07-21T14:09:10+00:00

    Hi Shane,

    We are just now experiencing this issue. I am on Version 2108 (Build 14332.20345 Click-to-Run).

    When I click on Update, it states that "You're up to date! The latest version of Office is installed on your computer.

    The page here Error when trying to open an ACCDE/MDE file created in a different version of Access (microsoft.com) shows that the fix is not yet available for you (you have Office LTSC 2021 Volume Licensed based on your build number).

    The table will be updated when we have a date/fix for your version.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments