Runtime error 1004 method range of object worksheet failed

 Summary:

In this post, I have included the complete information about Excel runtime error 1004. Besides that I have presented some best fixes to resolve runtime error 1004 effortlessly.

To fix Runtime Error 1004 in Excel you can take initiatives like uninstalling Microsoft Work, creating a new Excel template, or deleting The “GWXL97.XLA” File. If you don’t have any idea on how to apply these methods then go through this post.

Here in this article, we are going to discuss different types of VBA runtime error 1004 in Excel along with their fixes.

What Is Runtime Error 1004 In VBA Excel?

Excel error 1004 is one such annoying runtime error that mainly encounters while working with the Excel file. Or while trying to generate a Macro in Excel document and as a result, you are unable to do anything in your workbook.

This error may cause serious trouble while you are working with Visual Basic Applications and can crash your program or your system or in some cases, it freezes for some time. This error is faced by any versions of MS Excel such as Excel 2007/2010/2013/2016/2019 as well.

Error Detail:

Error Code: run-time error 1004

Description: Application or object-defined error

Screenshot Of The Error:

Don’t worry you can fix this Microsoft Visual Basic runtime error 1004, just by following the steps mentioned in this post. But before approaching the fixes section catch more information regarding runtime error 1004.

Excel VBA Run Time Error 1004 Along With The Fixes

The lists of error messages associated with this Excel error 1004 are:

1. VB: run-time error ‘1004’: Application-defined or object-defined error
2. Excel VBA Runtime error 1004 “Select method of Range class failed”
3. runtime error 1004 method range of object _global failed visual basic
4. Excel macro “Run-time error ‘1004″
5. Runtime error 1004 method open of object workbooks failed
6. Run time error ‘1004’: Method ‘Ranger’ of Object’ Worksheet’ Failed
7. Save As VBA run time Error 1004: Application defined or object defined error

Let’s discuss each of them one by one…!

#1 – VBA Run Time Error 1004: That Name is already taken. Try a different One

This VBA Run Time Error 1004 in Excel mainly occurs at the time of renaming the sheet.

If a worksheet with the same name already exists but still you are assigning that name to some other worksheet. In that case, VBA will throw the run time error 1004 along with the message: “The Name is Already Taken. Try a different one.”

Solution: You can fix this error code by renaming your Excel sheet.

#2 – VBA Run Time Error 1004: Method “Range” of object’ _ Global’ failed

This VBA error code mainly occurs when someone tries to access the object range with wrong spelling or which doesn’t exist in the worksheet.

Suppose, you have named the cells range as “Headings,” but if you incorrectly mention the named range then obviously you will get the Run Time Error 1004: Method “Range” of object’ _ Global’ failed error.

Solution: So before running the code properly check the name of the range.

# 3 – VBA Run Time Error 1004: Select Method of Range class failed

This error code occurs when someone tries to choose the cells from a non-active sheet.

 Let’s understand with this an example:

Suppose you have selected cells from A1 to A5 from the Sheet1 worksheet. Whereas, your present active worksheet is Sheet2.

At that time it’s obvious to encounter Run Time Error 1004: Select Method of Range class failed.

Solution: To fix this, you need to activate the worksheet before selecting cells of it.

#4 – VBA Runtime Error 1004 method open of object workbooks failed

This specific run time Error 1004 arises when someone tries to open an Excel workbook having the same workbook name that is already open.

In that case, it’s quite common to encounter VBA Runtime Error 1004 method open of object workbooks failed.

Solution: Well to fix this, first of all close the already opened documents having a similar name.

#5 – VBA Runtime Error 1004 Method Sorry We Couldn’t Find:

The main reason behind the occurrence of this VBA error in Excel is due to renaming, shifting, or deletion of the mentioned path.

The reason behind this can be the wrong assigned path or file name with extension.

When your assigned code fails to fetch a file within your mentioned folder path. Then you will definitely get the runtime Error 1004 method. Sorry, and We couldn’t find it.

Solution: make a proper check across the given path or file name.

#6 – VBA Runtime Error 1004 Activate method range class failed

Behind this error, the reason can be activating the cells range without activating the Excel worksheet.

This specific error is quite very similar to the one which we have already discussed above i.e Run Time Error 1004: Select Method of Range class failed.

Solution: To fix this, you need to activate your excel sheet first and then activate the sheet cells. However, it is not possible to activate the cell of a sheet without activating the worksheet.

Why This Visual Basic Runtime Error 1004 Occurs?

Follow the reasons behind getting the run time error 1004:

1. Due to corruption in the desktop icon for MS Excel.
2. Conflict with other programs while opening VBA Excel file.
3. When filtered data is copied and then pasted into MS Office Excel workbook.
4. Due to application or object-defined error.
5. A range value is set programmatically with a collection of large strings.

Well, these are common reasons behind getting the VBA runtime error 1004, now know how to fix it. Here we have described both the manual as well as automatic solution to fix the run time error 1004 in Excel 2016 and 2013. In case you are not able to fix the error manually then make use of the automatic MS Excel Repair Tool to fix the error automatically.

Follow the steps given below to fix Excel run time error 1004 :

1: Uninstall Microsoft Work

2: Create New Excel Template

3: Delete The “GWXL97.XLA” File

Method 1: Uninstall Microsoft Work

1. Go to the Task Manager and stop the entire running programs.

2. Then go to Start menu > and select Control Panel.

3. Next, in the Control Panel select Add or Remove Program.

4. Here, you will get the list of programs that are currently installed on your PC, and then from the list select Microsoft Work.

5. And click on uninstall to remove it from the PC.

It is also important to scan your system for viruses or malware, as this corrupts the files and important documents. You can make use of the best antivirus program to remove malware and also get rid of the runtime error 1004.

Method 2: Create New Excel Template

Another very simple method to fix Excel runtime error 1004 is by putting a new Excel worksheet file within a template. Instead of copying or duplicating the existing worksheet.

Here is the complete step on how to perform this task.

1.Start your Excel application.

2. Make a fresh new Excel workbook, after then delete the entire sheets present on it leaving only a single one.

3. Now format the workbook as per your need or like the way you want to design in your default template.

4. Excel 2003 user: Tap to the File>Save As option

OR Excel 2007 or latest versions: Tap to the Microsoft Office button after then hit the Save As option.

5. Now in the field of File name, assign name for your template.

6. On the side of Save as type there is a small arrow key, make a tap on it. From the opened drop menu

• Excel 2003 users have to choose the Excel Template (.xlt)

• And Excel 2007 or later version have to choose the Excel Template (.xltx)

7. Tap to the Save.

8. After the successful creation of the template, now you can programmatically insert it by making use of the following code:
Add Type:=pathfilename

Remarks: 

From the above code, you have to replace the pathfilename with the complete path including the file name. For assigning the exact location of the sheet template you have just created.

Method 3: Delete The “GWXL97.XLA” File

Follow another manual method to fix Excel Runtime Error 1004:

1. Right-click on the start menu.

2. Then select the Explore option.

3. Then open the following directory – C:Program FilesMSOfficeOfficeXLSTART

4. Here you need to delete “GWXL97.XLA” file

5. And open the Excel after closing the explorer

You would find that the program is running fine without a runtime error. But if you are still facing the error then make use of the automatic MS Excel Repair Tool, to fix the error easily.

Automatic Solution: MS Excel Repair Tool

MS Excel Repair Tool is a professional recommended solution to easily repair both .xls and .xlsx file. It supports several files in one repair cycle. It is a unique tool that can repair multiple corrupted Excel files at one time and also recover everything included charts, cell comments, worksheet properties, and other data. This can recover the corrupt Excel file to a new blank file. It is extremely easy to use and supports both Windows as well as Mac operating systems.

* Free version of the product only previews recoverable data.

Steps to Utilize MS Excel Repair Tool:

Conclusion:

Hope this article helps you to repair the runtime error 1004 in Excel and recovers Excel file data. In this article, we have provided a manual as well as automatic solution to get rid of Excel run-time error 1004. You can make use of any solution according to your desire.

Good Luck!!!

Are you searching for how to fix ‘Cannot run the macro’ in Excel? Then you’ve come to the right place. The message is one of many that may appear as a result of Runtime Error 1004. Other variations of the Excel Error 1004 include:

• Application-defined or object-defined error: Runtime Error 1004
• Method ‘Ranger’ of Object Worksheet Failed
• Copy method of worksheet class failed
• Programmatic access to Visual Basic Project is not trusted
• Excel macro “Run-time error 1004″
• Method open of object workbooks failed: Runtime Error 1004
• Select method of Range class failed: Excel VBA Runtime Error 1004
• Application-defined or object-defined error: Save As VBA Run Time Error 1004
• Method range of object _global failed visual basic: Runtime Error 1004

What Is the Runtime Error 1004 In Excel?

Microsoft Excel is a useful and highly demanded spreadsheet that makes data computation easy. It is used by both individuals and businesses all over the world and comes in XLS and XLSX format.

However, while working on an Excel file or trying to generate a Macro, many users have been aggravated by the Runtime Error 1004. It prevents you from making any changes in your Excel workbook, makes you unable to use certain resource libraries, and freezes or crashes the program or even your system. It causes annoying performance problems while working with Visual Basic applications.

The Runtime Error 1004 can occur on any version of Excel: from Excel 2003 to Excel 2019. It mostly appears when you try running Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications Macro. The problem is due to a security procedure that is meant to lock Microsoft VBA from Excel. The Runtime Error 1004 likely won’t occur if you grant security access. The error could also be due to program corruption as a result of malware infection.

Why Am I Getting the Excel Runtime Error 1004?

The Runtime Error 1004 can appear as a result of:

1. Corrupt MS Excel desktop shortcut.
2. Copying and pasting filtered data into an MS Office Excel workbook.
3. Program conflict while opening the VBA Excel file.
4. Programmatically setting a range of values with a collection of large string.
5. Application or object-defined error.

Whatever the reason may be, the issue is easy to get rid of. Keep reading to learn how to fix the Runtime Error 1004 when you make changes in Excel.

How to Fix the Runtime Error 1004 in Excel on Windows 10

The following solutions have been proven to work:

1. Run an antimalware scan
2. Allow Access to the VBA Project Object Model
3. Create a new Excel template
4. Uninstall Microsoft Works
5. Remove GWXL97.XLA

By the time you have tried one or a few of the above fixes, the error will be resolved. We will now provide you with detailed steps to carry out the solutions.

Fix 1: Run an Antimalware Scan

Fix 2: Allow Access to the VBA Project Object Model

The procedure for this solution is easy. Follow the steps below:

1. Launch Excel and click on the File tab.
2. Click on Options.
3. Click on Trust Center. It is the last option in the left pane.
4. Click the Trust Center Settings button in the right pane.
5. In the new page that opens, locate Macro Settings in the left pane and click on it.
6. Mark the checkbox for ‘Trust access to the VBA project object model’ under the Developer Macro Settings section in the right pane.
7. Click the OK button.

Fix 3: Create a New Excel Template

Rather than copy or duplicate your existing worksheet, you can put your new Excel Worksheet file within a template. This will help fix the Runtime Error 1004. Here’s how to get it done:

1. Launch Excel.
2. Press the Ctrl + N combination on your keyboard to open a new workbook. Make sure to leave only one sheet on the workbook. Delete the rest.
3. Modify the workbook to suit your needs.
4. Save the workbook by pressing Ctrl + S on your keyboard. Or if you use Excel 2003, click on the File tab and click Save as. For Excel 2007 and newer versions, click the Microsoft Office icon in the top-left corner of your screen and then click on Save as.
5. Choose a location to save the file on your computer and enter a name for the file.
6. Click the drop-down arrow beside ‘Save as type’ and select Excel Template (.xlt) if you are using Excel 2003. If you are using Excel 2007 and later versions, select Excel Template (.xltx) instead.
7. After saving the template, use the following code to insert it:

Add Type:=pathfilename

Make sure to replace “pathfilename” with the actual path and file name of the template.

Fix 4: Uninstall Microsoft Works

Here’s the procedure to follow:

1. Right-click on the Start button to open the Power User menu. Select Task Manager from the list. Alternatively, press the Ctrl + Alt + Del combination on your keyboard and then click on Task Manager.
2. Once in Task Manager, click on each of the running apps and click the End Task button.
3. Close the Task Manager window.
4. Open the Run utility by pressing the Windows + R keyboard combination. Type “appwiz.cpl” (no quotes) into the text field and click the OK button or press Enter on your keyboard.
5. Locate Microsoft Works in the list of apps and right-click on it. Then, click on Uninstall from the context menu. Confirm the action if prompted.

Fix 5: Remove GWXL97.XLA

Here’s how to delete the GWXL97.XLA file:

1. Press the Windows + E combination on your keyboard to open File Explorer.
2. Navigate this path: C: Users > User > Name > AppData > Local> MicrosoftExcel.
3. Open the XLStart folder.
4. Locate and delete the GWXL97.aXLA file.

Conclusion

We hope the solutions provided above have helped you to successfully fix the Runtime Error 1004 in Microsoft Excel and recover the data on your file. There are many issues that can lead to the runtime error. However, by the time you get to the end of this guide, you will be just fine.

Don’t hesitate to leave your questions or comments in the section below. We love hearing from you.

Microsoft Excel is one of the most popular spreadsheets used across the globe for both individual and business purposes. It is the one-stop destination for storing, organizing, and manipulating data in an organized way. MS Excel comes mainly in two extensions i.e. XLS and XLSX format. However, apart from its incredible popularity, runtime errors are a common nuisance for many Windows users – and one of the most common ones is the Runtime Error 1004.

In this guide, we are going to discuss this common Runtime error 1004 and some of the best fixes to resolve it effortlessly.

What is Runtime Error 1004 in Excel?

Runtime error 1004 is an error code relating to Microsoft Visual Basic that has been known to disturb Microsoft Excel users. This error is faced by any versions of MS Excel such as Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 as well. No version of Microsoft Excel is safe from the menace of Runtime Error 1004. In some cases, you may see the runtime error 1004 in Excel after opening a worksheet. Such types of runtime errors usually occur due to a problematic add-in.

This error is mainly encountered by users while they are working on an excel file or trying to generate a Macro in the excel document. It can cause serious trouble while working with Visual Basic Applications and can completely crash a program, or even the entire system; sometimes it may freeze the system prohibiting the users to do anything on their system.

Types of error message

The error messages that are most associated with this runtime error are as follows:

• VB: run-time error ‘1004’: Application-defined or object-defined error
• Excel VBA Runtime error 1004 “Select method of Range class failed”
• runtime error 1004 method range of object _global failed visual basic
• Excel macro “Run-time error ‘1004?
• Runtime error 1004 method open of object workbooks failed
• Run-Time error ‘1004’: Method ‘Ranger’ of Object’ Worksheet’ Failed
• “Method in Key up Object Program APPLICATION Failed.”
• Run-time error ‘1004’: Activate method of Worksheet class failed

If you encounter any of these above errors, then you can fix the error using our guide.

What are the causes?

The Error 1004 is a general code related to MS Excel but is not specific to one exact cause. Hence, in this case, the exact reason why this error might pop up will vary from case to case and circumstance to circumstance. From configuration issues to software problems, below we listed a synopsis of common reasons for runtime error 1004 in excel:

• MS Excel Desktop Icon might be corrupted
• VBA Excel File is clashing with other application
• Due to application or object specified error
• Due to missing dependent file
• Due to Virus, Trojan or malware
• Due to Invalid Registry Keys and so on.

These were a few of the most common reasons behind getting the runtime error 1004 in MS Excel; now let us understand the different fixes.

Here we have detailed both manual and automatic solutions to fix the Runtime Error 1004. You can follow any one of the next methods to resolve the issue.

1. Create a new Excel template
2. Launch Excel in Safe Mode
3. Run a Virus Scan
4. For VB: run-time error ‘1004’, resize legend entries

Let’s look at each of these methods in detail.

1] Create a new Excel template

In some cases, fixing this issue can be as simple as inserting a new worksheet from a template instead of creating a copy of an existing worksheet. Here is what you need to do:

1] Open MS Excel on your system

2] Press ‘CTRL + N’ to create a new Microsoft Excel worksheet or simply select a ‘Blank workbook’ from the first screen.

3] Once done delete all the sheets on the workbook except one.

4] Now, format the workbook, which has been left. Also, note, this workbook can be modified to suit your individual need.

5] In the end, go to ‘File > Save As’ to save the new worksheet with the Excel Template (.xltx or .xlt) file format.

6] Once you have successfully created the template, you can insert it programmatically by using the following line of code:

Sheets.Add Type:=pathfilename

Please note – Do not forget to replace the new filename with the actual name of the document.

2] Launch Excel in Safe Mode

If Excel is showing you the runtime error 1004 after opening an Excel file, there might be a problematic add-in causing the issue. The affected users received the error message given below:

Run-time error ‘1004’: Activate method of Worksheet class failed

To check if the problem is caused by an add-in or not, launch Excel in Safe Mode. If Excel opens successfully in the Safe Mode, the problem was occurring due to an add-in. Now, you have to identify the problematic add-in. To do that, follow the steps provided below:

1. In Safe Mode, go to “File > Options > Add-Ins.”
2. Select COM Add-ins in the drop-down on the right side and click Go.
3. In Safe Mode, some add-ins are disabled. You have to enable the disabled add-ins one by one. Enable one of the disabled add-ins and restart Excel in normal mode. See if the error occurs.

If the error occurs, repeat the above steps again. After you find the problematic add-in, consider removing it from Excel.

3] Run a Virus Scan

It is very important to scan your computer system for malware and viruses as these can corrupt files and important documents and show the runtime error 1004 in MS Excel. Sometimes using a good antivirus program helps a lot.

Related: Run-time error 1004, Cannot run the Macro in Excel.

4] For VB: run-time error ‘1004’, resize legend entries

If you come across a Runtime Error 1004 when running a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macro, then you can use this method to work-around.

Generally, you get this error when you try to run a VBA macro that uses the LegendEntries method to make changes to legend entries in a Microsoft Excel chart. That time, you may receive the following error message:

Run-time error ‘1004’: Application or object-defined error

This error occurs when the Excel chart contains more legend entries than there is space available to display the legend entries on the Excel chart. When this behavior occurs, Microsoft Excel may truncate the legend entries.

To work around this behavior, create a macro that reduces the font size of the Excel chart legend text before your VBA macro makes changes to the chart legend and then restore the font size of the chart legend so that it is similar to the following macro example.

Sub ResizeLegendEntries()
With Worksheets("Sheet1").ChartObjects(1).Activate
      ' Store the current font size
      fntSZ = ActiveChart.Legend.Font.Size
'Temporarily change the font size.
      ActiveChart.Legend.Font.Size = 2
'Place your LegendEntries macro code here to make
         'the changes that you want to the chart legend.
' Restore the font size.
      ActiveChart.Legend.Font.Size = fntSZ
   End With
End Sub

We hope this article helps you fix the runtime error 1004 in Microsoft Excel. This guide gives you manual as well as automatic solution to get rid of this error; you can make use of any solution based on your need.

How do I fix a runtime error?

Runtime errors occur at the time of running a program. The runtime errors usually freeze or crash the affected program or software. To fix a runtime error, you can use general fixes, like installing the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables, running the SFC and DISM scans, troubleshooting in a Clean Boot state, etc.

Read next: Arrows keys not working in Microsoft Excel.

VBA Runtime Error 1004 occurs while you are executing a macro in Excel. It’s an error that can occur due to several reasons. In the below example, as you can see, when I run the code, it shows the run-time error ‘1004’. In simple words, you can also say it occurs when you can’t perform an activity with the object or the application.

In this tutorial, we will understand several other reasons for this runtime 1004 error.

Error1: VBA Run Time Error 1004: That Name is already taken. Try a different One:

As I shared above, when you try to add a sheet with the name that is already there in the workbook using a VBA code, VBA shows you a run-time error with the 1004 code.

Even when you try to rename a worksheet, you’ll get the same error from VBA.

In the above code, I tried to rename the sheet “Sheet2” with the name “Sheet1”, but as you can see, I already have the “Sheet1” in the workbook; VBA showed me the error code 1004.

To deal with this problem is to check if a sheet already exists in the workbook or not.

Error2: VBA Run Time Error 1004: Method “Range” of object’ _ Global’ failed:

As you know, you can create a named range in Excel, but when you try to refer to that named range using a VBA code, and you misspelled its name, you are likely to get the run-time error 1004 Method “Range” of object’ _ Global’ failed.

In the following example, I have a named range with the name “myRange”, but while writing the macro, I have misspelled it as “myRang” even though it’s a typing mistake; VBA is not that smart to identify this mistake, and refer to the correct named range.

There is no named range with the name that I have mentioned, and that is why it showed me the run-time error 1004.

Error3: VBA Run Time Error 1004: Select Method of Range class failed:

When you use a VBA code to select a range that is not in the active worksheet, VBA will show you the run-time error 1004. Because, if you want to select a cell or range of cells for a particular worksheet needs to be active at that point.

You cannot select a cell from sheet1 if sheet2 is active right now.

As you can see in the following example, I have made the same mistake where I’m referring to cell A1 from sheet one, but sheet2 is active.

The best way to deal with this error is to activate the sheet first and then write a line of code that selects a cell or the range from that sheet. You can also check if a sheet is active or not and then select the cell from that sheet, and if somehow that sheet is not active, you can show a message to the user to activate that sheet first.

Error4: VBA Runtime Error 1004 Activate method range class failed:

Just like the above reason, when you try to activate a cell or range of cells from a specific worksheet that is not active at the moment, we will show you runtime error 1004 (Activate method range class failed:).

In the about example when I tried to activate cell A1 in the sheet1 it gave me runtime error 1004, is the active sheet was the sheet2.

To deal with this error again you need to verify that the worksheet that you are referring to is active or not. Or you can also verify if that sheet is there in the workbook or not.

Error5: VBA Runtime Error 1004 method Sorry We couldn’t Find:

If you’re trying to open an Excel file using a path, but that workbook is not there, maybe it has been moved, deleted, or renamed. In that case, VBA will again show you a run-time error of 1004.

That’s what happened in the following example where I tried to open the file with the path from my desktop, but that file is not there, and it has shown me an error.

To deal with the situation, you can use a VBA code to verify if the file that you are referring to is there in the folder or not.

Error6: VBA Runtime Error 1004 method open of object workbooks failed:

This error is also related to the workbook. So when you try to open a workbook with the name for which a book already exists and is open at the moment, VBA will show you the run-time error 1004 (method open of object workbooks failed).

The same thing happened in the above example, where I tried to open a workbook that is already open, and VBA showed me a run time error (1004).

How to Correct VBA’s Runtime (Error 1004)

Error 1004 is a run-time error that occurs while executing a VBA code. And all the errors that we have discussed above are due to human errors while writing the code, following the points you can use to avoid the run-time error 1004.

1. Do a step-by-step code execution to see on which line the error occurs.
2. Make sure to verify all the names of the workbooks that you are referring to.
3. You can also use a VBA code to verify if a workbook is already opened or not.
4. And use the activate method to activate a worksheet before you refer to a cell or range from it.

More on VBA Errors

Subscript Out of Range (Error 9) | Type Mismatch (Error 13) | Object Required (Error 424) | Out of Memory (Error 7) | Object Doesn’t Support this Property or Method (Error 438) | Invalid Procedure Call Or Argument (Error 5) | Overflow (Error 6) | Automation error (Error 440) | VBA Error 400

Four ways to fix runtime error 1004 in Excel:

Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is developed to help users write programs for the Windows operating system. It runs as an internal programming language in Microsoft Office, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Some users have reported that when running VBA in an Excel chart or trying to generate a Macro in Excel documents, an error message popped up saying: Runtime error 1004. And then they find themselves cannot access the Excel files. If you have the same encounter as these users, this post is the right place for you. You can find both the reasons and the corresponding solutions of this error code on this page.

Runtime Error Details

The error message contains more information than the error code 1004. Generally, follow the error code, you can see a brief description. The most repeated error messages are listed below:

1. Runtime error 1004: Application or object-defined error.
2. Runtime error 1004: Method Ranger of Object Worksheet failed.
3. Runtime error 1004: Copy Method of Worksheet Class failed.

The Reason Why You See Runtime Error 1004 in Excel

If you want to know how to fix runtime error 1004 in Excel properly, you need to understand what leads to this issue. The following are the most prominent reasons.

• Macro Name Error

The Macro you are running is copying the original worksheet to a workbook with a defined name that you did not save and close before running the Macro.

• File Conflict

When opening the VBA Excel file, it gets conflicted with other programs.

• Too Many Legend Entries

The Excel chart contains more legend entries than space available to display the legend entries on the chart.

• Excel File Corruption

Your .xls files got corrupted, infected, or damaged.

Although many reasons would cause this Excel error 1004 problem, luckily, some valid methods can help users re-access the files. Let’s check them one by one.

Fix 1. Delete the GWXL97.XLA Files to Fix Runtime Error 1004 in Excel

The easiest method to fix the Excel error 1004 is to find and delete the error file.

Step 1. Go to C:Program FilesMS OfficeOfficeXLSTART.

Step 2. Find GWXL97.XLA file and delete it.

Step 3. Reopen your Excel file and check if the problem is solved.

Fix 2. Check the Trust Access to the VBA Project Object Model

Another solution you can try is to enable a VBA project trust option in Excel Trust Center. Follow the detailed steps and have a try.

Step 1. Open a blank Excel file and click «Files» on the upper left.

Step 2. Click Option and go to Trust Center.

Step 3. Find and enter the Trust Center Settings.

Step 4. Under Macro Settings, tick the option of «Trust access to the VBA project object model.»

Now you can check your Excel file.

Fix 3. Create Another Excel Template to Fix Runtime Error 1004 in Excel

This method could be a little bit complicated, but it’s useful and worth trying.

Step 1. Please start a new Excel workbook and make sure there is only one worksheet in it.

Step 2. Format the workbook first and then put the data you need onto it.

Step 3. Tap File > Save As, first enter the file name, and click the unfold arrow in Save as Type column.

Excel 2003: Choose Excel 97-2003 Template.

Excel 2007 or Later: Choose Excel Template.

Step 4. Click «Save» to confirm.

Now you can insert it programmatically by using the following code: Add Type:=pathfilename. The file name is the one you set when you create the new Excel template.

Fix 4. Repair Corrupted Excel Files Due to Error 1004 

If all the above solutions can’t help you out, then there is one possibility that the Excel file you want to open is damaged. To fix a damaged Excel file, you can rely on file repair software. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a great choice.

With this tool, click the «Repair» button and wait for it to fix all the corrupted documents for you.

• Repair various corrupted files, including repairing Word, Excel, and PDF document 
• Fix unreadable contents in Word efficiently
• Repair corrupted PDF files, extract the text, comments, labels, graphics, etc. 
• Compatible with Microsoft Office 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, & previous versions.

Download the software and follow the detailed steps below to fix corrupted Excel files.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and then scan disk with corrupted documents. This software enables you to fix damaged Word, Excel, PPT, and PDF files in same steps. 

Step 2. EaseUS data recovery and repair tool will scan for all lost and corrupted files. You can find the target files by file type or type the file name in the search box. 

Step 3. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can repair your damaged documents automatically. After file preview, you can click «Recover» to save the repaired Word, Excel, and PDF document files to a safe location.

The Bottom Line

After reading, you must have a thorough understanding of how to fix Runtime error 1004. If you can make sure that the Excel file you want to open is valid, then the first three methods would help you out.

Once you got a damaged Excel file, a professional file recovery tool is a wiser choice. EaseUS file repair software is highly recommended by many users & IT professionals to help you repair Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files.