OLE Print Error

Question

OLE Print Error

Annie Parker 35

Hi,

Whilst using Microsoft Project Professional 2024, I have a company logo inserted in the Header in the Print SetUp. I need to have the logo in my border, so removing it is not an option.

I have tried multiple picture setups, changing from jpeg to png etc and I get the same error message regardless.

'You are about to activate an OLE object that may contain viruses or may otherwise be harmful to your computer. You may want to verify that this object comes from a trustworthy source before you continue. Do you want to continue?'

If the error just appeared once, it might not be such an irritation but the fact that it pops up 3-4 times before I get into my print settings, and then again when I navigate to the header option and then again once or twice when I close the dialogue box, it is just very excessive.

I've seen other users have the same issue but no suitable fix. Please do something to save my sanity!!

Thanks

Anna Anderson (Successful Projects) 0 Reputation points

2025-10-13T10:53:48.04+00:00

i have the same issue. It is the desktop version of Project 2024 that is not compatible with M365 subscriptions with word excel outlook etc.
Anna Anderson (Successful Projects) 0 Reputation points

2025-10-13T10:54:55.9933333+00:00

Then it stuffs up installing a previous version like Project 2019. you need to restore Windows and try again with Project 2019
Annie Parker 35 Reputation points

2025-11-30T18:19:28.3266667+00:00

Hi @Anna Anderson - if you haven't tried the tip from Vitor below, do give it a go because it fixed it for me! Annie

4 answers

Your answer

Anna Anderson (Successful Projects) 0 Reputation points

2025-10-13T10:53:48.04+00:00

i have the same issue. It is the desktop version of Project 2024 that is not compatible with M365 subscriptions with word excel outlook etc.
Anna Anderson (Successful Projects) 0 Reputation points

2025-10-13T10:54:55.9933333+00:00

Then it stuffs up installing a previous version like Project 2019. you need to restore Windows and try again with Project 2019
Annie Parker 35 Reputation points

2025-11-30T18:19:28.3266667+00:00

Hi @Anna Anderson - if you haven't tried the tip from Vitor below, do give it a go because it fixed it for me! Annie

Answer 1

Vitor Mendes 10

Our IT team manage to fix this problem, makin c:\ a trusted location, under project options ->trust center -> trusted locations and adding a new location "c:" and selecting "include sub-folders".

OLE error gone.

Hope it help others.

Vitor Mendes 10 Reputation points

2025-11-27T15:29:05.6633333+00:00

for clarification
Annie Parker 35 Reputation points

2025-11-30T18:18:20.36+00:00

Hi Vitor,

That fix has worked! Thankyou so much for saving me from the incessant pinging error notice!

Annie
Vitor Mendes 10 Reputation points

2026-01-19T22:20:59.2466667+00:00

I'm glad it could help other people. I'm glad it helped you @Annie Parker

This OLE error appeared today in two more computers in the office where i work. It appeared in my computer and other co-worker computer...and we managed to fix both doing the above fix.

Instead of using C:\ as a trusted location you can use only "C:\users\youruser"...it's probably safer than making all the c: disk a trusted location. P.S: Don't forget to always select to include subfolders...or it won't work properly (as showed in the image above).

Greetings from Portugal
Altena, Thorsten (Iqony GmbH) 0 Reputation points

2026-01-22T12:20:38.42+00:00

Hi Victor,
unfortunately, this is not a solution, it's just "disable security". It's like: "My firewall is blocking connections. Creating a rule that allows any connection solved the problem" ;)

You just trust any document that is saved on your local C:\ drive now. Not a good suggestion from a security pov.

kind regards
William Smirk 0 Reputation points

2026-03-12T02:26:13.8933333+00:00

This worked. You are the GOAT.

Answer 2

Sean Kearney 0

A note to say we're experencing the same issues with Microsoft Project. We have tested in client enviroments and with our own copy of the Microsoft Project online desktop client. It appeatrs to have started a couple of months ago, and it can be replicated on the latest build Version 2511 (19426.20218).

The scenario is an OLE wartning pop up durng print preview, or when switching tabs in the page setup tab.

The images are inserted and have not been linked to an external source, or copp/pasted from another office app. We have tried multiple image files with no internet security locks, and the issue persists.

The only resolution to the issue is to remove images from the header/footer.

Office repairs are no use. We have tested this with a fresh install and experience the same issue. We have confirmed ole32.dll and oleaut32.dll load from C:\Windows\System32.

We have also attempted the fix listed here, without success: https://www.reddit.com/r/MSProject/comments/1jfq9it/ole_project_error/

There appear to be other reports online of the same issue recenly, suggesting a bug or change: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5511656/ole-print-error

Annie Parker 35 Reputation points

2026-01-09T07:42:00.4033333+00:00

Hi Sean, Vitor kindly replied above and his suggestion worked for me. Am copy/pasting his message here so hopefully it helps you too! Our IT team manage to fix this problem, makin c:\ a trusted location, under project options ->trust center -> trusted locations and adding a new location "c:" and selecting "include sub-folders".

OLE error gone.

Hope it help others.
Sean Kearney 0 Reputation points

2026-01-11T05:55:31.8+00:00

Thanks Annie. We've advised customers to remove embedded images for the moment. Trusting C:\ and all child locations is quite a risk. It's definitely seeming like a bug with MS Project at this stage.
Danielle 5 Reputation points

2026-01-19T22:13:18.4833333+00:00

Sean, I have been having the same issue as well, starting a few weeks ago.

The error doesn't prevent work or printing, but is so annoying!

I just got off the phone with my IT guy, as I originally had no idea what an OLE was or that the photo was the issue, however I thought it was going to be a simple fix of saving the logo and reuploading. Now, I am here in this Q&A feed hoping for a work around.

I, too, cannot alter the Trusted Locations, my PC settings simply won't allow it due to security. I hope this bug gets resolved soon.
Vitor Mendes 10 Reputation points

2026-01-19T23:20:39.8133333+00:00

hi @Sean Kearney what about instead of using "c:"..put "c:\users\youruser" as a trusted location in MSProject, and include subfolders. it's safer than c:, as you mentioned. I configured my laptop as this and have no problem. @Danielle check the above sugestion...microsoft still doesn't have a better fix than this one. This fix was passed by microsoft technitians to our IT team.

@Sean Kearney ...you may also configure a single folder in your pc and make it a trusted location...instead of trusting several folders in C:...MSProject files must be stored in that location and probably you may be able to upload logos and bypass the OLE Error. I haven't tested this but it seems perfectly possible that it may work...you only need to configure a folder in your pc as a trusted location...this way it seems very much safe...if you have security concerns, in configuring MSProject as i shared above. It may solve your MSProject problems. This OLE issue has been reported for sometime now and it seems to be getting more common these days. Just today, two pcs in my office started to have this same issue.

Greetings.

Answer 3

John Project 49,720 Volunteer Moderator

You said you inserted the logo in the header but then you mentioned you need to have it in your border. Project will allow images in the header, footer and legend but not in the margins (i.e. border).

I have no problem inserting an image in the header (i.e. no OLE warnings). Where exactly is your logo stored? That could be the issue that was touched on by Henry-N but not well explained. The screen shot below shows what I get with an .PNG image from my desktop inserted into the header of a sample file. I printed it with no issues, OLE warnings or otherwise, at any time during the process.

2025-08-03_07-57-56

John

Annie Parker 35 Reputation points

2025-08-03T15:38:50.3366667+00:00

I meant header I just wrote border assuming you'd understand the context. I'm pleased for you that you were able to insert an image with no issues, however, I continue to receive the same error message. My logo is stored on my onedrive desktop.
John Project 49,720 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-08-03T16:51:22.0566667+00:00

Annie Parker,

Your original post said you are using Project Pro 2024. Just for reference, is that a standalone desktop version or desktop client as part of Project/Planner?

Would you be able to post a screen shot showing the first time the message occurs?

Try moving the image to your local desktop, not your OneDrive. Does that work?

John
Annie Parker 35 Reputation points

2025-08-04T11:35:54.3733333+00:00

Hi John,

It's a standalone desktop version.

Being on a windows laptop, I think my local and onedrive desktops are one and the same, or else, I have no idea how to access my local desktop!

The error message first arrives as I add the image into the header settings. The image I'm adding in this scenario is one I created and saved in Paint, so not even an image saved from the internet.

Thanks for any help.

Annie
Annie Parker 35 Reputation points

2025-08-04T11:36:15.54+00:00
John Project 49,720 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-08-04T13:49:09.4033333+00:00

Try this. Open Excel and create a simple header (e.g. "My special logo"). Then capture that cell's content with a screen saver or some app that will give you a .JPG image. Now, try inserting the image into the header. Do you still get the OLE message?

For reference, the above is exactly what I did to create my text case.

I suspect the issue may be with Paint, not Project so the above test will tell us.

John
Annie Parker 35 Reputation points

2025-08-05T15:51:10.6666667+00:00

Hi John,

Same issue unfortunately! It's seems that this version of Project doesn't like having an image imported - I've never had an issue with it in older versions of MSP. I have seen the same issue on another Microsoft forum, so I know it's not an isolate instance either but I couldn't see any replies on the thread that solved the issue!

Thanks

Annie
John Project 49,720 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-08-05T23:53:34.53+00:00

Annie,

Sorry I didn't see your latest response earlier today. For some reason it disappeared from threads showing as updated and I only found it while looking at my specific threads. This new forum has some quirks.

Anyway, I don't think the issue is related to your version of Project. You noted earlier that you have the image on your OneDrive desktop. That is NOT the same as your Windows desktop. Your Windows desktop is found via File Explorer at:

This PC > Local disk (C:) > users / [your name] > Desktop

So, when you did the test with the .JPG image of the Excel text, did you put the image on your OneDrive desktop or your Windows desktop? If you put it on your OneDrive desktop, I suspect that is the cause of the issue.

John

Answer 4

Anonymous

Hi @Annie Parker,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

Regarding that you getting the error when trying to change from jpeg to png. To better assist you, I’d like to ask a few questions so we can understand your situation more clearly:

Does this issue happen to all other project file when you try to change JPEG to PNG?

Are there any Trust Center or security settings customized in your setup?

Check Trust Center Settings Go to:

File then go to Options, find the Trust Center and Trust Center Settings. Make sure the settings allow safe activation of embedded objects. You can try setting it to "Prompt me before enabling all controls with minimal restrictions" to reduce the number of warnings.

Or You could try this in the meantime

Try export to PDF First Instead of printing directly from Project, export your file to PDF and print from a PDF viewer. This bypasses the OLE activation process entirely and avoids the warning pop-ups

I'm sincerely sorry for the inconvenience that you've encountered. But I need to know more about your situation so I can help you better. I appreciate your patience and are here to help. Looking forward to your response

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. User's image

Annie Parker 35 Reputation points

2025-08-03T09:22:27.54+00:00

Hi,

Firstly, yes it happens with all my project files regardless of whether the image I've added is a jpeg or a png.

Could you let me know what sub-category I'd be looking for that option in within the Trust Centre as I can't seem to find it. I have tried toggling a couple of different options but the same error message continues to appear?

I don't think the pdf print workaround is suitable as I need to use the Header options and I don't think using a 3rd party software to fix the errors in Microsoft Project is a suitable solution.

If you can let me know about the Trust Centre settings, then I will try that again.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Anonymous

2025-08-05T08:24:49.14+00:00

Hi @Annie Parker,

Thank you so much for your message and for taking the time to reach out.

Since the issue you've raised pertains to Microsoft Project Professional 2024 is related to personal account, I’ll be updating your channel tag to reflect that. This will help ensure that your request is directed to the appropriate team who specializes in handling personal account matters. They’ll be better equipped to provide you with the most accurate and tailored support.

I truly appreciate your understanding and patience as we guide your request to the right place. Apologies for any inconvenience caused by this redirection, and thank you again for your cooperation.
Annie Parker 35 Reputation points

2025-08-05T15:53:36.4733333+00:00

Hi Henry,

I didn't realise that it being a standalone version made it not a business product. To be honest, I don't really care how it's tagged if there's someone out there who can stop the error message coming up and the awful pinging error sound it makes 8 times just to update my print settings, then I'll be very grateful!

Annie