RE: reinstalling Office 365(which includes Excel) , I get this error message when I open Excel...

[chazrab]

..."Can't find project or library"
In Tools .> References, "MISSING: Microsoft Common controls 2 6.0 (SP6)" does appear. Un-checking it usually solves the problem.
However, Excel is preventing me from unchecking this box and the following dialog box error message appears

"Can't remove control or reference in use"

The help button takes me to
the page which says
The ActiveX control or reference you tried to remove is being used by one of the forms in the project.
First delete the control or referenced object from the form and then cancel the selection in the list"

How would i know which ActiveX control it is?
I hope somebody has had this experience before and can tell me what to do.

cr

Thanks for anyone's help

 

[ajetrumpet]

have you looked this up? MS doesn't offer anything, like usual: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/language/reference/user-interface-help/can-t-remove-control-or-reference-in-use. however, there does seem to be some intelligence out there.... Microsoft Windows Common Controls 2-6.0 (SP6) [SOLVED]. see if that helps. if it doesn't, post back here.

 

[RoryA]

What controls do you have on your forms? If they aren't from the MSForms library (label, textbox, combobox, listbox, togglebutton, checkbox, optionbutton, frame, commandbutton, tabstrip, multipage, scrollbar, spinbutton, image control) or the RefEdit, there's a good chance they are from one of the Windows Common Controls libraries.

 

[chazrab]

Hi Rory - A few days since I posted my issue - tried to fix this myself to no avail - until today. I'm a bit late responding. a frustrating journey but valuable learning experience. The following is a little lengthy, but may be important for people with the same issue

Reviewing briefly:
1 have two laptops A and B.

LAPTOP A:
Excel app  runs has perfectly on A. 
In Tools ->References:
Microsoft windows Common  Controls 2 6.0(SP6) IS checked and present.  So it’s not giving the MISSING reference:
Location: C:\Windows\SysWow64\mscomct2.ocx
This mscomct2.ocx  file DOES exist in C:\Windows\SysWOW64 on this machine

LAPTOP B: with the issue 
Reset  last week with a new installation of Windows and O365.  All updates current. 
In Tools ->References:
Excel app shows MISSING: Microsoft Windows Common Controls 2 6.0(SP6)
Location:
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\mscomct2ocx

Problem: Trying to uncheck MISSING results in this dialog box message:

“The ActiveX control or reference you tried to remove is being used by on of the forms in the project.
First delete the control or referenced object from the form and then cancel the selection in the list."

The mscomct2.ocx file was NOT present in the Sys\WOW64 folder on B
Per your comment: all the controls on my forms are from the toolbox.

Downloaded and extracted the mscomct2.ocx file to the C:\WindowSysWOW64 folder,
Using this Powershell command c:\Windows\SysWOW64 regsvr32 mscomct2.ocx = “succeeded”
Restarted computer.
Everything works fine now.  DId not  need to delete any control or reference.   This app runs on both laptops and saved to Onedrive.

Comment: if people have change or buy new pcs, or reset them and re install O365, and open an excel app that contains forms
and controls and code, they may experience the pain I went through here.
Just a tip for any and all who may need help with this Issue.
You’ve helped greatly in the past with development of this large app. Many thanks.

cr, Kingwood, Texas