When you click a hyperlink in an embedded Microsoft Excel workbook, Excel generates the following error and does not select the range indicated by the hyperlink:

This problem occurs when you embed either a new or existing Excel workbook. The problem does not occur when you link to an existing workbook.

The error occurs with the following containers:

• Microsoft Visual C++ Application
• Microsoft Visual Basic Application
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft OutlookNOTE: The problem does not occur when you embed an Excel workbook in a Microsoft Word document.

To work around this problem, you can link to the Microsoft Excel workbook instead of embedding it. Note that a linked object cannot be edited in-place; the linked object will be opened in a new window for editing.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Excel 97, Microsoft Excel 2000, Microsoft Excel 2002, and Microsoft Office Excel 2003.

Steps to Reproduce the Problem

For illustration purposes, the following steps demonstrate the problem using Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 as the container. Similar steps in the other containers listed in the "Cause" section of this article will generate the same error:

1. Start a new presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint 2000.
2. Click Object on the Insert menu.
3. When the Insert Object dialog box appears, select Microsoft Excel Worksheet in the Object Type list, and click OK. The embedded workbook will be activated in-place.
4. With cell A1 selected, right-click and choose Hyperlink on the shortcut menu. Choose Place in this Document for Link to, type B5 for the cell reference, and then click OK.
5. Click the hyperlink in A1. You receive the error:
   An unexpected error has occurred
   To work around this problem, link to an existing Excel workbook. To link to a workbook using the steps above, in step 3, when the Insert Object dialog box appears, select Create From File, click Browse to locate the workbook, check the Link checkbox, and then click OK.