Troubleshoot PPC add-ins not working
PPC add-ins may not be visible or operational in Microsoft Word or Excel due to disabled add-ins or incorrect settings. To fix this, verify the add-ins are enabled and adjust registry settings to make sure they load automatically.
Scenario
PPC add-ins aren't visible or operational in Microsoft Word or Excel.
Cause
Reasons for the issue include:
- Add-ins are turned off:Either intentionally or unintentionally, the add-ins might be turned off in Microsoft Office.
- Incorrect COM Add-in settings:The COM Add-ins responsible for PPC functionality might be unmarked, preventing them from loading.
- Corrupted or incorrect Load Behavior registry settings:The system's registry might have incorrectLoad Behaviorvalues for the PPC add-ins, preventing them from starting automatically.
Solution
Follow these steps sequentially to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:
- Prepare Office Applications:
- Close all open Word and Excel documents.
- Open a new, blank Word or Excel document.
- Check Disabled Items:
- Select .
- In theManagedropdown, selectDisabled Itemsthen selectGo....
- Review the list for any PPC-related add-ins. If you find any, select them, then select .
- If there aren't any PPC items listed, selectCloseand proceed to the next step.
- Verify COM Add-ins:
- Select .
- In theManagedropdown, selectCOM Add-Insthen selectGo....
- Make sure that all relevant PPC Add-ins are marked. There will typically be up to 5 PPC Add-ins. The critical ones are:
- For Word:PPCWord12andPPCWord12Repurpose
- For Excel:PPCExcel12andPPCExcel12Repurpose
- If the add-ins don't remain marked after you apply the settings, proceed to the next step.
- Inspect Registry Load Behavior (Advanced Troubleshooting):
- If the COM Add-ins aren't staying marked, it indicates a potential issue with theirLoad Behaviorin the Windows Registry.
- Open the Registry Editor by enteringregeditin the Windows search bar and selectingEnter.
- Go to the following registry paths, depending on whether you're troubleshooting Word or Excel add-ins:
- For Word Add-ins:
- Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins
- Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins
- Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins
- For Excel Add-ins:
- Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins
- Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins
- Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins
- In these folders, search for entries corresponding to the main PPC add-ins (for example,PPCWord12orPPCExcel12). If you don't find them in 1 location, check the others.
- Select each PPC add-in entry you find.
- In the pane, locate theLoadBehaviorvalue.
- Make sure theLoadBehavioris set to3. This value indicates that the add-in should load automatically at startup.
- IfLoadBehaviorisn't3, double select it and change theValue datato3. SelectOKwhen you're done.
note
- Modifying theWindows Registrycan have unintended consequences if done incorrectly. Exercise caution and consider backing up your registry before making changes.
- After performing these steps, restart your Microsoft Office application (Word or Excel) to confirm the PPC add-ins are now functioning correctly.
- If the issue persists, further investigation might be required, potentially involving reinstallation of the PPC add-ins or contacting your IT support.