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
    2022-07-19T20:26:29+00:00

    So why are we having the same issue in Office 2010 and that hasn't been updated? It's a Windows 7 computer with Office 2010. These reports have been running from this computer nightly for years. After this error popped today on those running Office 2021, it now won't work on Office 2010.

    That doesn't make any sense.

    Thanks,

    Jessica

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-07-19T20:26:18+00:00

    Just says 365 MSO next to version and build number

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-07-19T20:18:25+00:00

    We are having this same issue. We are on Version 2108 (Build 14332.20345 Click-to-Run). There are no updates available. It says we are on the latest version. I tried a repair - offline, then online - and that didn't fix it. I tried changing the output file to xlsx instead of xls, no change.

    If you look at this page: Error when trying to open an ACCDE/MDE file created in a different version of Access (microsoft.com), and look for your build number in the table, you will see that you have "Office LTSC 2021 Volume Licensed".

    A fix for that channel is not yet available, but when it is, the table will be updated to indicate that the fix is available, and what build number you should have when you get the fix.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-07-19T20:14:25+00:00

    I have a customer running version 2205 Build 16.0.15225.20292 (32 bit) and seeing the same issues (app won't open VBA error and exporting to excel from report ribbon - VBA 2587). Any thoughts on this?

    If you are on Version 2205, that suggests you are on Monthly Enterprise Channel, since that is the channel currently shipping Version 2205. If you are on Monthly Enterprise Channel, Version 2205, then the fix is not yet available, but when it is, this page:

    Error when trying to open an ACCDE/MDE file created in a different version of Access (microsoft.com)

    Will list the updated build.

    However, if you are on Monthly Enterprise Channel, then you should be getting build 16.0.15225.20356, not 16.0.15225.20292.

    Can you confirm what channel you are on, it should be listed next to the 'About Access' button on the File/Account page:

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