How To Fix WB831 - Microsoft Excel could not be started by OLE

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WB - Messages for assortment list

• Message number: 831

• Message text: Microsoft Excel could not be started by OLE

What causes this issue?

An error occurred starting MS Excel via OLE on the presentation server.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

MS Excel must be installed if you wish to use this function.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WB831 - Microsoft Excel could not be started by OLE ?

  The SAP error message WB831, which states "Microsoft Excel could not be started by OLE," typically occurs when SAP is trying to interact with Microsoft Excel through Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) but fails to do so. This can happen for several reasons. Here are some common causes, solutions, and related information:
  Causes:
  
  Excel Not Installed or Not Registered: Microsoft Excel may not be installed on the machine, or it may not be properly registered in the Windows registry.
  Excel Version Compatibility: There may be compatibility issues between the version of SAP and the version of Excel being used.
  Excel Running in Background: An instance of Excel may already be running in the background, which can prevent SAP from starting a new instance.
  User Permissions: The user may not have the necessary permissions to start Excel or access its components.
  Antivirus/Firewall Interference: Security software may be blocking the OLE communication between SAP and Excel.
  Corrupted Excel Installation: The installation of Microsoft Excel may be corrupted or incomplete.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Excel Installation:
  
  Ensure that Microsoft Excel is installed on your machine.
  If it is installed, try repairing the installation through the Control Panel.
  
  
  
  Close Background Instances:
  
  Check the Task Manager for any running instances of Excel and close them. Then, try to execute the SAP function again.
  
  
  
  Re-register Excel:
  
  Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following command to re-register Excel:
  "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OfficeXX\excel.exe" /regserver
  
  Replace OfficeXX with the appropriate version number (e.g., Office16 for Office 2016).
  
  
  
  Check User Permissions:
  
  Ensure that the user has the necessary permissions to run Excel and access its components.
  
  
  
  Disable Antivirus/Firewall Temporarily:
  
  Temporarily disable any antivirus or firewall software to see if it resolves the issue. If it does, you may need to configure the software to allow OLE communication.
  
  
  
  Check for Updates:
  
  Ensure that both SAP and Microsoft Office are up to date with the latest patches and updates.
  
  
  
  Reinstall Excel:
  
  If none of the above solutions work, consider uninstalling and then reinstalling Microsoft Excel.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for common issues.
  System Requirements: Ensure that your system meets the requirements for both SAP and Microsoft Office.
  Consult IT Support: If you are in a corporate environment, it may be beneficial to consult your IT support team for assistance, as they may have specific configurations or policies in place.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the WB831 error and successfully integrate SAP with Microsoft Excel.