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
    2022-12-07T16:35:57+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.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-09-23T02:28:28+00:00

    I'm surprised it has not been mentioned before BUT....

    Regardless of which updates etc you install you will STILL experience the "Can't complete the output operation" when attempting to output to Excel if your macro settings are set to 'Disable all macros without notification' OR 'Disable all macros except digitally signed macros'.

    This occurs I believe because the export to Excel process involves a macro or code in the access utility.accda module which is now untrusted.

    You can change your macro settings in the Trust Center ( for 2016 - File, Options, Trust Center, Trust Center Settings, Macro Settings) Depending on your use case you can set to Enable all macros (which is not recommended) or Disable all macros WITH notification. This setting allows you to decide each time if you want to run the macro or not.

    The other issue I've seen is if you are not seeing all the export options in the ribbon you need to change a setting to display full menus. (File, Options, Current Database) scroll down to Ribbon and Toolbar options and **** ensure the tickbox is checked beside Allow Full Menus

    Close Access, restart and your problem should now be resolved.

    Note that an Access Security Notice window will pop when you try export to Excel, you should click Open to allow the export to proceed.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-09-16T20:12:15+00:00

    Hi, I already installed and is working ok again, thank you very much for your support!,

    best regards from Mexico

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-09-16T18:00:26+00:00

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