Article ID: 828509 - Last Review: February 24, 2009 - Revision: 2.0

"Excel could not start the e-mail program" error message when you use the Send To command in Excel

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SYMPTOMS

When you use the Send To command in Microsoft Excel, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:
Excel could not start the e-mail program.

Check your network connection. Make sure Office is installed correctly, you e-mail program is set up correctly, and you can connect to your e-mail server.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if all the following conditions are true:
  • Microsoft Office Excel 2003 is your Excel version.
  • Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 is your mail client.
  • Any version (including trial versions) of Office 2007 was previously or is still installed on this computer and one or both of the following are still listed under Add/Remove Programs:
    • Microsoft Office 2007
    • Microsoft Office 2007 Primary Interop
  • You try to send the workbook as the body of the message to the recipient.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, use any one of the following methods:
  • Send the workbook as an attachment from Excel 2002.
  • Save the workbook in Excel 2002, and then add the workbook file as an attachment to a message from Outlook 2003.
  • Open the workbook in Microsoft Office Excel 2003, and then send it to the recipient as the body of the message.
  • Uninstall both of the following from Add and Remove Programs:
    • Microsoft Office 2007
    • Microsoft Office 2007 Primary Interop

APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Excel 2002 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
Keywords: 
kberrmsg kbprb KB828509
 

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