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: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2022-12-07T19:43:22+00:00

    Hi all,

    I'm sorry to resurrect this question, however I'm wondering whether something similar has slipped into another Office update?

    Our customer is using Office Professional Plus 2013. Back in July they were trying to export Access reports to Excel and receiving the error: "Cannot complete the output operation. The Visual Basic code you entered contains a syntax error or the Output procedures are not available."

    As per this thread, Office update KB5002121 was uninstalled and the export functionality started working again - problem sorted!

    Unfortunately, the same customer has now reported the same issue happening again when trying to export reports to Excel, with the exact same error message. Their first thought is that maybe another Office update has caused the issue to reoccur, same as last time. They only became aware of it a couple of days ago, although the last round of Office updates were installed on 11th November, with some before that on the 19th August.

    Would anybody happen to know if any updates in this timeframe could be responsible?

    Many thanks in advance.

    Go into Access and open a database.

    Then

    File, Options, Trust Center, Trust Center Settings, Macro Settings. Select Disable all macros with notification.

    Now try export a report to Excel. Access will pop a "Microsoft Access Security Notice" prompt which you should allow (Open) when exporting to Excel.

    The issue is the file utility.accda which is part of the export "wizard" is untrusted.

    Selecting prompt with notification allows the user to decide if they want to allow it.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2022-12-08T09:27:00+00:00

    Hello MartinS_NZ,

    Thank you for your reply. I appreciate you taking the time.

    My apologies, I should have stated beforehand: we did already try changing the macro settings to "Disable all macros with notification" as you suggested above and in your previous post from September - I've also just tried the same again for good measure. Unfortunately it has made no difference; we get no prompt to run either, still just goes directly to the error.

    By default, the macro settings were on "Enable all macros" in the past and we know the export functionality was working. So logically I would've thought that it would still. Shouldn't be an issue to keep it on Disabled with Notification if it will help but the issue still persists at this stage.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments