How to fix an app using an old InterOp Assembly that can't be removed

Question

I have a VB Studio 2005 Express app that uses the Excel part of the Office Primary Interop Assemblies (PIA).  We used to have Office 2003 and then some of us moved to Office 2007.  Now the entire company moved to Office 2010 and what I've noticed is that as people have gotten new machines and run the app, their machines seem to have a copy of the old InterOp Assemblies.  The GAC is referenced, but because the assemblies haven't been "installed" they don't appear in "Add or Remove Programs".  I've installed the Office 2010 PIA, but the app continues to reference the old PIAs.

I'm stumped. I don't understand how to fix this.  When I look in my own C:\WINDOWS\assembly directory, I see that I have the version that must have gotten installed when the new machines were deployed. The file is: Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel version 14.0.4756.1000

The exception listing shows that the app is using:

Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel
    Assembly Version: 14.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 14.0.4756.1000
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel/14.0.0.0__71e9bce111e9429c/Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel.dll

The version of the Microsoft Office 2010 Primary Interop Assemblies that I have installed is: 14.0.4763.1150

Even though i've installed the new version, My C:\WINDOWS\assemblies still references the 14.0.4756.1000 version.

I believe that this is the cause of the problems that I've been seeing, but don't know how to fix the problem.

I'll attach the exception listing and a section of code.  The code works fine on my machine, but I can't get it to work on one of the user's machines.

Here is an exception trace showing the exception and listing the old PIA

See the end of this message for details on invoking 
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.
************** Exception Text **************
System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x800A03EC): Unable to set the CenterHorizontally property of the PageSetup class
   at System.RuntimeType.ForwardCallToInvokeMember(String memberName, BindingFlags flags, Object target, Int32[] aWrapperTypes, MessageData& msgData)
   at Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel.PageSetup.set_CenterHorizontally(Boolean )
   at PEPS.mdl_Public_Functions_Subs.QUICK_EXCEL_EXPORT(ListView flstv, String fSheetName)
   at PEPS.frmPIDPurgeTool.cmdExcel_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)
************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3625 (GDR.050727-3600)
    CodeBase: file:///c:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
PEPS
    Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/lz24sh/Local%20Settings/Apps/2.0/W4CW1ZZX.VLR/8HDACT1Z.8M1/peps..tion_f75c785a355c0db6_0001.0000_c727851afc393b4d/PEPS.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
    Assembly Version: 8.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 8.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/8.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3631 (GDR.050727-3600)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3623 (GDR.050727-3600)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3636 (GDR.050727-3600)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Runtime.Remoting
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Deployment
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Deployment/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Deployment.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3082 (QFE.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
System.DirectoryServices
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.DirectoryServices/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.DirectoryServices.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Data
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_32/System.Data/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Data.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Transactions
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_32/System.Transactions/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Transactions.dll
----------------------------------------
System.EnterpriseServices
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_32/System.EnterpriseServices/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.EnterpriseServices.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Security
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3613 (GDR.050727-3600)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Security/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Security.dll
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel
    Assembly Version: 14.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 14.0.4756.1000
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel/14.0.0.0__71e9bce111e9429c/Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel.dll
----------------------------------------
************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.
For example:
<configuration>
    <system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>
When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

Here is a code segment showing the code:

Public Sub QUICK_EXCEL_EXPORT(ByVal flstv As ListView, ByVal fSheetName As String)
        Dim xlApp As Excel.Application
        Dim xlWorkBook As Excel.Workbook
        Dim xlWorkSheet As Excel.Worksheet
        Dim sh As Excel.Worksheet
        Dim xlRange As Excel.Range
        Dim LR As Integer
        Dim x, i, y As Integer
        Dim LC As String
        'Create New Excel File
        xlApp = New Excel.Application
        xlWorkBook = xlApp.Workbooks.Add
        xlWorkSheet = xlWorkBook.Worksheets(1)
        xlWorkSheet.Name = fSheetName
        'Sets Page Margins & Paper Orientation
        With xlWorkSheet.PageSetup
            .CenterHorizontally = True  '' code croaks here
            .BottomMargin = 46.8
            .FooterMargin = 0
            .HeaderMargin = 0
            .FitToPagesWide = 1
            .FitToPagesTall = 35
            .Zoom = False
            .PrintTitleRows = "$1:$1"
            .Orientation = Excel.XlPageOrientation.xlLandscape
            .CenterHeader = "Generic Excel Report"
            .LeftHeader = "&G"
            .LeftHeaderPicture.Filename = glb_DelphiLogo
            .LeftFooter = "&D"
            .RightFooter = "Page &P of &N"
        End With

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

By the Way:  There is a line defining Excel as:

Imports Excel = Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel

Thanks!

---

Alan Edwards

Answer 1

Hi Alan,

Welcome to the MSDN Forum.

Based on your description, it seems that you want to reference the new version Excel, but your application keeps the 2.0 version one.

Am I right?

If so, please try the following steps:

1. Go to the property page of this project, and click on the reference tab.

2. Remove all Excel references.

3. Click the Add Button on the same page.

4. Choose the proper Excel reference on the ".Net" tab.

5. Rebuild your solution.

I hope this will be helpful.

Best regards,

---

Mike Feng
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help.

Answer 2

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your response.  Yes, I believe you're right. I'm following the steps above.

I was able to remove the Excel reference from the References list in the Project, but I'm having trouble finding the right one to add back.  I looked for an InterOp or an Excel library in the ".Net" tab, but I wasn't able to find it.  There are some Component Names there called VsWebSite.Interop, VsWebSite.Interop100 and VsWebSite.Interop90, but I don't think that's the Excel or Office interop PIAs.  Under COM, I have:

Microsoft Excel 14.0 Object Library (1.7) in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE
Microsoft Office 14 Authorization Control 1.0 Type Library (1.0) in C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office14\AUTHZX.DLL
Microsoft Office 14.0 Access Database engine Object Library(12.0) in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE14\ACEDAE.DLL
Microsoft Office 14.0 Object Library (2.5) in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE14\MSO.DLL

Under Imported namespaces, I have the option to check or uncheck namespaces, but I don't see anything there that says Office or Excel.

Is there a "Reference Path" that I should add so that I can see the ".Net" Office 2010 Primary Interop Assemblies?

If I go to the "Browse" tab, I can go to C:\WINDOWS\assembly and see what I believe I was referencing before:

Microsfot.Office.Interop.Excel (version: 14.0.0.0) (culture is blank) (Public Key Token: 71e9bce111e9429c) (Processor Architecture: MSIL)

There is an older version there too: Microsoft.Office.Tools.Excel.v9.0 (9.0.0.0)(b03F57F11d50a3a)(MSIL)

I'm not sure what to do from here.  I don't have any reference to the interop libraries right now.  Does this information tell you enough that will help you tell me what I need to do next?

Thanks for your help!

---

Alan Edwards

Answer 3

Here are the Primary Interop Assembly versions that I have loaded.  The first picture is what I get when I press the "Click here for support information" link on the "Add or Remove Program" entry for the "Microsoft Office 2010 Primary Interop Assemblies".

The second picture is what my C:\WINDOWS\assembly shows for the PIAs:

---

Alan Edwards

Answer 4

Hi Alan,

Since the Excel reference is already on your computer, please try to use the "Browser" table to find the reference in the path "C:\Windows\assembly" and then add it into your project.

Best regards,

---

Mike Feng
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help.

Answer 5

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your reply.  After I add the Excel reference library from the C:\Windows\assembly, should I go to the Publish side tab and in Application Files, should I choose "Include" and (Required) so that the library comes together with the deployment?

I noticed in "Application Files" there are several options (Include Auto, Include, Prerequisit, Exclude).  What's the difference between Include (Auto) and Include?

The Application Files setting that I have is Include, (Required).  Here is a snapshot of my Application Files without Show all files and with Show all Files checked:

Here it is with "Show all Files" checked:

---

Alan Edwards

Answer 6

Hi Mike,

I was able to add the reference to the Excel PIAs from the Browse tab and publish the application.  The new published app fixes the problem.

Thank you for your help!

---

Alan Edwards