Runnig MATLAB code, "Could not start Excel server for import, 'basic' mode will be used." How do I fix this?

I have Windows 10 (Although I had this same problem with windows 8.1) installed on a PC with i7, 8GB RAM, and NVIDIA graphics. I am running MATLAB 2015b (although I had same problem with 2014a) and I also have Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2013 installed which has Excel obviously. When I try and execute any xlsread command I get the error "Could not start Excel server for import, 'basic' mode will be used." Which is ok, except I also get "Range cannot be used in 'basic' mode. The entire sheet will be loaded." after as my program cannot perform its operation on the data in basic mode apparently. Now basic mode is only supposed to be used if Excel is not installed, or on Macs because of some COM issue. Since I have the full and complete versions of all this software and am using a fully up to date windows PC, why am I getting this error? And how do I fix it?

[Walter Roberson]

Hypothetically you could get this problem if you are using the 32 bit MATLAB and have only the 64 bit Excel installed, or if you are using the 64 bit MATLAB and have only the 32 bit Excel installed.

Answer 1

[Xiaolong Jin]

I solved this problem by changing the properties of Excel. Right click on Excel--select properties--click the 'compatibility'Tab--tick the 'run this program in compatibility mode for'-- select 'windows 7' or other options. Hope it works!

[Tal Dulberg]

Thank you!

Solved the problem

Answer 2

[Varun Bhaskar]

Hello,

I understand that you are seeing the error ‘Could not start Excel server for import, ‘basic’ mode will be used’.

One of the reasons why this might occur is that the actxserver.m is not on path. To find out whether the correct actxserver.m is being used, execute the following on MATLAB command prompt

 >>which actxserver

If this does not point to the correct version of actxserver.m, make MATLAB point to the correct version in order to resolve the issue.

If the above step does not work, try the following:

1) Ensure that Excel is registered as an application in the system registry

2) Launch MATLAB as an administrator

3) If you are using 32 bit Excel , try using 32 bit MATLAB.