Linked OLE Object - Failed to launch server application.

[Anonymous]

I'm making addendum changes for a project at work where the drawings were originally create by an A&E firm. I do not have access to the original files the OLEs are linked from.

I need to edit these OLE objects, but I cannot open them. The source application is Microsoft Excel Macro-Enabled Worksheet. I have Office 2013 on my work computer with Autocad 2014, and I have a personal laptop with Office 365 and Autocad LT 2018.  I cannot get it to work on either computer. 

I supposed it's helpful to note that I cannot enable macros on my work machine, but I did enable them on my personal laptop and still cannot get either to work.

Any suggestions?

I can remake the tables if necessary, but that's a whole lot of information to retype. I've read through other posts with similar problems, but the solutions haven't worked so far.

Thanks!

Rahnee

[pendean · Accepted solution]

if you "do not have access to the original files the OLEs are linked from" then you cannot "edit these OLE objects".

Your OLE is just a snapshot, a static picture.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! I figured it had to be something like that - now confirmed!
Guess I'm typing it all again.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

Can you share the data?  Perhaps printing it to a PDF and then exporting it to Word or Excel will help recreate the data in a usable format.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

THAT might be a fantastic workaround. Thank you! I'll let you know if it
works. Thank you!

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

Did you have any luck with the PDF?  If you want to share the data I can try it on my side too for you.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

John, again thank you for the idea. Making a PDF seems to process this as an image (as mentioned by another user), so no go.

My workaround was adding the necessary text and making sure the OLEs were at the back so text would show up on top.

Thanks all for the help. Luckily I did not have to make edits and only had to add text. It looks a bit wonky, but not too bad because the text stands out, which we needed.

Unfortunately, I cannot share data due to the nature of my work.

Again, thanks!

(I sent this response via email, but it didn't go through yesterday, so sorry for delay.)

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I understand. I have had some luck however bringing the PDF into Acrobat (not the reader) and then either using the Export or even doing a quick OCR and then export.

Perhaps something to try next time around. Have a great weekend.