Symptoms


When you double-click an Excel workbook or a shortcut to an Excel workbook, Excel starts. However, the Excel workbook does not open, and you receive an error message.

The error message may be different, depending on the version of Windows that you are using.

In Windows 7 and Windows 8, you may see this error message:
There was a problem sending the command to the program.

In Windows Vista, you may see this error message:
Windows cannot find 'FilePath\FileName', Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

In Windows XP, you may see this error message:
Cannot find the file 'path ' (or one of its components). Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available.

There was a problem sending the command to the program.


Resolution: Turn off the "Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)“ setting

Fix it for me

To automatically fix this problem in Excel 2003 through Excel 2013, click the Fix this problem" link. Then, click Run in the File Download dialog box, and then follow the steps in this wizard.

For Windows 8

Fix this problemFix this problem
Microsoft Fix it 20074

For Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2003

Fix this problemFix this problem
Microsoft Fix it 50392

Notes:
  • This wizard may be in English only. However, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.
  • If you are not on the computer that has the problem, save the Fix it solution to a flash drive or to a CD, and then run it on the computer that has the problem.
  • We would appreciate your feedback. To provide feedback, or to report any issues with this solution, please leave a comment on the "Fix it for me" blog. Or, send us an email message.


Let me fix it myself

To resolve this problem yourself, follow the steps for your version of Microsoft Excel.

Microsoft Excel 2010 and 2013

  1. Click the File tab, and then click Options.
  2. Click Advanced, scroll down to the General section, and then clear the Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) check box in the General area.
  3. Click OK.