XL: Error Creating OLE Automation Object with Microsoft Excel

ID: Q129252

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you use the CreateObject function or the GetObject function in a procedure to create or return a Microsoft Excel OLE Automation object, you may receive one of the following error messages.

In Microsoft Excel 97:

   Run-time error '429':
   ActiveX component can't create object

In Microsoft Excel version 7.0:

   Run-time error '499':
   User-defined error

In Microsoft Excel version 5.0:

   Run-time error '440':
   OLE Automation error

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if you use an incorrect value for the class argument of the CreateObject or GetObject function. The class argument consists of the name of the application providing the object (appname) followed by a period and the type of class of object to create or return (objecttype).

The application names "Excel.Application" or "Excel.Application.5" may be used for Microsoft Excel versions 5.0 and 7.0. However, only the application name "Excel.Application" may be used for Microsoft Excel 97.

Because of this, you will receive an error message when you run any of the following commands in a procedure in Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Visual Basic:

   Set myApp = CreateObject("Excel7.Application")

   Set myApp = GetObject(,"Excel7.Application")

   Set myApp = CreateObject("Excel.Application.7")

   Set myApp = GetObject(,"Excel.Application.7")

RESOLUTION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/

To avoid receiving an error message when you create or return a Microsoft Excel OLE Automation object, use any of the following commands:

   Set myApp = CreateObject("Excel.Application")

   Set myApp = GetObject(,"Excel.Application")

   Set myApp = CreateObject("Excel.Application.5")

   Set myApp = GetObject(,"Excel.Application.5")

For compatibility between all of the versions of Microsoft Excel listed above, it is recommended that you use the application name "Excel.Application" rather than "Excel.Application.5".

Additional query words: 7.00 8.00 XL97

Keywords          : kbdta KbVBA 
Version           : WINDOWS:7.0,97
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999