[sims] SIMS Report error "cannot activate application"

[unexus]

Hi Folks,

 

I will log this with Capita but just in case any of you have experienced this and know the fix? ...

 

If I run a report from SIMS that is configured to open the data in CSV format, I always get this error:-

 

Error: Cannot activate application

 

 

I couldn't find any threads on Edugeek that discuss this problem, but I can't believe I'm the only person that has seen this!

 

If I configure the report to export in some other format all is fine. So there seems to be some issue with SIMS launching Excel. I have tried opening excel first, I have fiddled around with the file block settings within the Trust Center options of Excel and I have even tried enabling all macros. Nothing seems to fix this. As far as I know, mine is the only PC in school that is exhibiting this problem and it has been like it for quite some time (so it's persisted over several SIMS updates). I've finally got fed up with it and I'm now decided to try and find a solution.

 

Anyone seen this before?

 

Thanks,

Keith.

[Esteban_Child_of_the_Sun]

The error is usually caused by Windows not having the correct program association with .csv files. Have you had different versions of MS Office installed on your PC in the past which have since been uninstalled?

If you manually try and open a .csv file from windows explorer by double clicking on it, does it open automatically in excel without and additional intervention?

[unexus]

Thanks for replying. Yes - file association is all good. csv files have an excel icon and open in Excel without any intervention.

 

I have to apologise because I now realise that my initial post was slightly misleading. I have tested on another machine and this is the exact sequence of events when the report works:-

 

My report is in my favorites on my Home Screen so I click the report from the favorites window.

The "Enter parameter values" window opens so that I can select criteria for the report. I click OK

SIMS Opens a "Preview Report Results" window showing the results of my report run

I click the "Run" button in the Preview window

Excel opens and prompts me to enable content

Excel opens a print preview window which I close to reveal the underlying csv file.

 

On my desktop PC. I get the error after the "Enter parameter values" window but before the "preview report results" window. So, it appears that SIMS is not even getting to the point of opening Excel. It's actually failing to open the report preview.

 

??

 

I'll have a go at running the report with CommandReporter to see if I can get my csv file that way.

 

K.

[bobsmith]

tried opening the report from the reports screen rather than favourites?

 

some of mine (favourites) screw up if I change the report in "design report".

[unexus]

tried opening the report from the reports screen rather than favourites?

 

some of mine (favourites) screw up if I change the report in "design report".

 

Yep. That seems to work. I deleted my reports from favorites and re-added them and that seems to fix things. Although I have now found other reports (not in my favorites) that give then same error. I will have to dig deeper ... but at least my reports are working now :-)

 

Many Thanks.

[Esteban_Child_of_the_Sun]

Also, you could try re-setting you local SIMS profile. By closing SIMS, rename the tmpsimsrtp and 'My SIMS Document' folders (in your My Documents folder) then launching SIMS, it will re-generate those folders with a default profile.