I am trying to open a pdf embedded in excel, but I am getting an error stating " cannot start the source application for this object" Can anyone help please?

[scottf94920644]

any help would be appreciated.  I already tried turning off protected mode, but that didn't fix it.

[AadeshSingh]

Hi Scott,

Please let me know the version of Adobe Reader/Acrobat & MS office installed on your computer?

In the mean time try the below steps :-

In your Adobe Reader/Acrobat

• Goto EDIT -> PREFERENCES...
• On the GENERAL Category.
• UNCHECK the 'Enable Protected Mode at startup'
  * you will get warning telling you that you will have to manually restart Reader before it takes effect.
• Then go into EXCEL & check if it works.

Regards,

Aadesh

[scottf94920644]

I am using Acrobat pro 10, and excel 10.  I do not have the UNCHECK the 'Enable Protected Mode at startup' in general in pro x.  I turned off the security in the security field.  That didn't help either.

[scottf94920644]

I installed reader, and now I can view, but if I want to edit I now have to open acrobat, and search for the document.  While I can do this, I would like to get it back to being able to do it all through acrobat.  I greatly appreciate any help you can give.

[AadeshSingh]

Hi Scott,

Try the below steps :-

• Right click on any of the PDF file & select Open With -> Choose the Default program.
• Default program window will pop up, then select Acrobat as the default program.
• At the bottom you will see a check box "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" make sure it is checked.
• Click OK to confirm the changes.

Now all your PDF files will open in Acrobat by default.

Regards,

Aadesh

[Umar26365833unqx]

It was really helpful, thanks.

[bethanya17720283]

I am having this issue.  I notice that this post has over 3000 views, has anyone found a fix?  I have 300 items embedded in an excel file and suddenly I can't view any of them.  I am using Excel 2016 and Adobe Acrobat DC and Adobe Reader X. 

[gerardd48628261]

This option can be found at Preferences --> Security (enhanced) 

[Suzy808]

I have had this problem for a couple years now and I fixed it today 🙂

This is what finally worked for me:

I have acrobat installed and none of the fixes worked.

So, in addition to acrobat I installed adobe reader dc

Now in excel I can use the option - insert - object - adobe acrobat document 

Reader pops up for a second and then does it's thing and now I have an embedded PDF with no errors.