How do I fix Runtime Error 1004 in Microsoft Excel?

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.

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
Launch Excel in Safe Mode
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:

Sheets.Add Type:=path\filename

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:

In Safe Mode, go to “File > Options > Add-Ins.”
Select COM Add-ins in the drop-down on the right side and click Go.
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.

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.