Recent files list problem (excel only)

Question

_{Tuesday, December 31, 2019 6:03 PM}

Long story short - I get the 'the item you have selected is unavailable' message if i pin a file to Excel. If I right click and select open it is fine (all files are in the place it is not an access issue or anything basic). The jump list simply does not work in Excel. It is fine in Word and when I look in the folders suggested on-line to clear recent files everything is in order - I can clear them and the problem is the same. If I reinstall office 365 (I have twice) you get the same thing - weirdly ATPVBAEN comes up in the recent file list but nothing else! This has driven me nuts for days as the jump list was so useful. Recent files and 'pinned' work fine within Excel itself. Just not possible to drag a file to pin it and no recent files appear when you right click the icon in the taskbar (though you can see the correct little -ms files appearing in %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations folder). I have cleared folders I have looked in the registry where I can find the recent files lists etc. but nothing will get the recent files and jump list back working for Excel. I am at a loss. Something must be making ti not run but only in Excel (all other apps fine). Argg! any help gratefully appreciated. Hope that is a clear enough explanation. 

All replies (3)

_{Wednesday, January 1, 2020 10:05 AM}

Hi,

Are you talking about the recent file list in Task bar when Excel is running?

Have you installed multiple versions of Office on the same computer?  

Starting with Office 2013, your recently used files list synchronizes with your Microsoft Account. That's handy because it means that if you sign in on multiple devices (desktop and laptop, for example) you have the same files listed in both places for easy access.

If you have an older machine that hasn't been turned on in a while, however, when you bring it online it may synchronize and it's possible that some of the documents from its old list might end up on your current recently used list.

Another way we sometimes see this happen is if somebody else, like a family member, uses your computer. If they're signed in as you, any documents they work on would then appear on your recently used list.

You can open Registry Editor, go to the following Registry – HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel\FileMRU, check the value entry for the list available on the right hand side under File MRU. Then backup and delete the registry to have a check.

You may also refer to the following article and check: KB826208 . For Office 365, it's version 16.0.

If the issue persists, you can switch to a different bit edition to have a check, such as installing 32-bit edition instead of 64-bit edition.

If you have any updates, feel free to post back to let us know.

Best Regards,

Herb

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_{Monday, January 6, 2020 10:09 AM}

Hi,

I am checking the status of this issue. Do you have any update for it?

If the replies are helpful to this question, please remember to mark them as answers. Your action would be helpful to other users who encounter the same issue and read this thread. Thanks for your understanding.

Anything unclear or any questions, feel free to post them back to let us know. I will be glad to follow up and help you.

Best Regards,

Herb

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they helped. If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact [email protected].

Click here to learn more. Visit the dedicated forum to share, explore and talk to experts about Microsoft Office 2019.

_{Thursday, January 9, 2020 2:04 AM}

Hi,

Any updates here? I'm looking forward to your responses. If you need further assistance, feel free to post back to let us help you.

Best Regards,

Herb

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they helped. If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact [email protected].

Click here to learn more. Visit the dedicated forum to share, explore and talk to experts about Microsoft Office 2019.