For a regular user or business operator, Microsoft Excel plays a massive role in the management and stock entries. It is widely used for maintaining perfect records because it is easy to use a platform that can also be used as an advanced engine by entering formulas and modules. However, at times, there are many issues when you try to open the Microsoft Excel file (.xlsx) in Windows 8.1, and many users have reported an error that states Microsoft Word There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Excel Windows PC Error Issue. The error, as mentioned above, looks just like in the image below.
In many cases, various Excel errors are caused by .xlsx file corruption. The MS Excel repair tool is able to fix most problems and restore the correct functioning of MS Excel.
This shows an error code message like,
Don’t worry, the data file is at no harm here, and there should not be any problem in the excel file, and the error message came only once. Now, after clicking the OK button and then trying to open it again, it would open without any such problems. Some of you must have even faced it every time you open the file. It mostly happens every time you start your computer. So, whenever you reboot, this error message will prevail to pop up.
In this article, we are going to share some easy-to-use and understand ways to solve this minor but annoying problem once it for all.
Causes of There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Error:
- Microsoft Excel File Error
- Microsoft Word File Error issue
- Windows PC problem
- Microsoft Office error
- Internet Explorer issue
- Autocad error
The KB article, which was written by Microsoft, reported that this issue mostly occurs due to the DDE, also known as the Dynamic Data Exchange feature, which is available on our computers. The DDE is a communication protocol used by Windows for opening certain types of files.
How to Fix & Solve There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Excel Error Issue
In the description mentioned above, we showed the same error fix could solve two cases that users face based on their usage and both of them. If you are facing this Microsoft Excel There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Word Windows PC error only once, and then you can ignore the problem for now. Nothing bad will happen to your device.
However, if it is the other case happening to you and you are facing this problem multiple times, then you should try the following solutions to fix the error word There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program excel.
1. Uncheck the Option from Settings –
- Open the Microsoft Office program and then open the Options window from File.
- Go to the advanced tab and then scroll down to the General section. Here you will find Ignore other application that uses Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE).’
- Make sure that it is unchecked.
- Apply the changes and then restart the Office program so the Excel There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program word problem should be fixed.
*NOTE: If the option was disabled, then first enable it and restart your Office program. Now disable the option again and finally reboot the Office program once more so the word There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Excel 2010 problem should be fixed.
2. Associate the Office as the Default Application –
If the above solution did not work for you, then follow this excel There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Word method. We are about to associate the Office program once again as the default application in order to open the file type:
- Right-click on this Office file and then select the Open with option.
- For Windows 7 or earlier versions, click on the Browse button, and for Windows 8 or later, click on the More Options and then click on Look for another app on this PC option.
- Go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office folder in the Browse dialog box and then select the correct.EXE file. If you are opening a .xlsx file, then choose the EXCEL.EXE file.
- That is it. This method should fix the word There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Excel problem.
3. Uncheck all the Given Options from Properties –
At times excel There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Word error message appears when the Run as administrator option has been enabled for this program. This can be fixed by using the following steps:
- Open the Start Menu or the Start Screen and then look for Office program shortcut, which is the cause of this excel There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Word 2013 problem. For example, Excel, Word, etc.
- Once you have found the shortcut, select the Properties option by right-clicking on it.
*NOTE: If you are unable to find the Properties option, then first select the Open file location option from the context menu, and a new window will open. Now right-click again on the Office program shortcut present within the new window, and you will see the Properties option.
- Go to the Compatibility Here uncheck all the given options, especially the Run this program as administrator.’
- Apply the changes, and the word There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Excel 2013 Windows 10 problem should be solved.
4. Eliminate the Key from the Registry –
You may also try to remove the Data key from the Registry for fixing the word There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Excel 2007 solved problem. This key stores the necessary settings in relation to the window size, position, and toolbars. If the key is deleted, it will reappear again as you launch the Office program. So you can eliminate this key from the Registry without worrying.
The steps are:
- Press the WIN+R keys together for launching the RUN dialog box and then type Regedit here and then press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Search for the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office
- Here you will see subkeys with the names 0, 14.0, 15.0. This depends upon the Office suite version installed on your device and thus can be different.
- Expand the 15.0 or any other number key that has the keys with Word, Access, Excel, etc.
- Expand the key that is associated with the excel There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Word 2007 problem. If Microsoft Word is causing the issues, then expand the Word key, and you will see a Data key here.
- Select the Data key and then press Delete to delete it.
Now re-launch the Office program to see whether the word There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Excel 2003 problem is solved or not.
5. Repair the Microsoft Office Suite –
You can also repair the Microsoft Office suite by following these steps:
- Open the Control Panel and then click on the Programs and Features option.
- Click on the Microsoft Office entry present in this list and then click on the Change.’
- Finally, select the Repair option and then click on the Continue button.
It will repair the Microsoft Office files and should fix the excel There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program AutoCAD issue too.
So, by following these simple steps, you will be able to get rid of this Microsoft Excel There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Word Windows PC annoying error. However, if this excel There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Word 2003 PC methods does not work for you feel free to comment below, we are always here to help.
If you are facing or getting any error while trying to solve Microsoft Excel There was a Problem Sending the Command to the Program Word Windows PC Error problem, then comment down the error issue here in the below comment section so that we can help you in that too.