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

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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

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-07-20T21:27:58+00:00

    Shane,

    I am having the same issue and I am on the Monthly Enterprise Channel.

    Image

    If you look at the page I linked, Error when trying to open an ACCDE/MDE file created in a different version of Access (microsoft.com), you will see that there is not yet an update with a fix available for Monthly Enterprise Channel, Version 2205.

    The page will be updated when the fix is available for Monthly Enterprise Channel, and then you will be able to Update Now to get the fix.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-07-20T21:01:02+00:00

    Shane,

    I am having the same issue and I am on the Monthly Enterprise Channel.

    When I try to perform the update using the update now option I am told that I am up to date.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-07-20T20:18:23+00:00

    I see from your reply to someone else on the Monthly Enterprise Channel that there is no fix for us yet. Do you know how long that will be, please? It is Wednesday here in the UK. Will it be today, tomorrow, next week? Am just trying to work out whether it worth getting their IT department to change the update channel.

    I can't give you a specific date yet, once we know it will be posted Error when trying to open an ACCDE/MDE file created in a different version of Access (microsoft.com). We are working to get out an update for Monthly Enterprise Channel this week, but I can't promise that.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-07-20T20:09:26+00:00

    That's a question that has been bugging me too; whether it's an Office issue or a Windows issue. Perhaps Shane knows?

    This issue was caused by a change to an Office component, but Office 2010 would not have received an update. I don't know why the behavior of Office 2010 would have changed.

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