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 a great 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.
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.”
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.
Fix Runtime Error 1004 in Excel
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.
- Create a new Excel template
- Run a Virus Scan
- 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:
Please note – Do not forget to replace the new filename with the actual name of the document.
2] 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.
3] 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.