web
You’re offline. This is a read only version of the page.
close
Skip to main content

Announcements

Welcome to the Power Platform Communities
News and Announcements icon
Community site session details

Community site session details

Session Id :
Power Platform Community / Forums / Power Automate / Excel error: Failed to...
Power Automate
Unanswered

Excel error: Failed to activate worksheet

(0) ShareShare
ReportReport
Posted on by Daniel23 44

Hi,

 

I have a desktop flow, that has been running smoothly for months. Now I'm started to see the same error occurring rather frequently. Error message: Action name: Set active Excel worksheet Error Message: Failed to activate worksheet

 

It is step 17 below that fails. 

 

Power Automate Desktop version: 2.22.263.22202 (updated to this about a month ago so the error did not come due to update)

Machine: Windows server 2019

Daniel23_0-1663222393317.png

 

 

Categories:
Power Automate Desktop
I have the same question (0)
  • VJR Profile Picture
    VJR 7,635 on at

    Try with some troubleshooting options:

    1. Put a breakpoint before it goes through line 15 and go to the Excel and see if that sheet Exists

    2. Use the Get Worksheets action and check if that sheet exists

    3. Double check whether the sheet name given in line 15 does not contain any invisible character like space or a new line (I know you mentioned it was working earlier, but just some rechecks can help pinpoint the actual problem)

    4. Are you using the same ExcelInstance for multiple Excel files? If so hope they are all closed thoroughly.

     

  • Daniel23 Profile Picture
    Daniel23 44 on at

    Hi @VJR 

     

    Thanks for the input. I will try this, but the flow uses the same "template" excel file every run and the sheets exists as there are no changes to this.

     

    I will also try and update the Power Automate Desktop.

Under review

Thank you for your reply! To ensure a great experience for everyone, your content is awaiting approval by our Community Managers. Please check back later.

Helpful resources

News and Announcements

Welcome to the Power Platform Communities

Quick Links

Season of Sharing Community Challenge Winners!

Congratulations to our community stars!

Kudos to our 2025 Community Spotlight Honorees

Expanding mentorship, skilling, and AI innovation

Congratulations to the July Top 10 Community Leaders!

These are the community rock stars!

Leaderboard > Power Automate

#1
David_MA Profile Picture

David_MA 312 Super User 2026 Season 2

#2
11manish Profile Picture

11manish 154 Super User 2026 Season 2

#3
trice602 Profile Picture

trice602 143 Super User 2026 Season 2

Last 30 days Overall leaderboard

Featured topics

Known issue with browser automation in Power Automate for Desktop on Google Chrome 146 and 147
Share your ideas and struggles with building Power Automate flows!
Survey: Power Automate mobile app
How to Ask for Help with Your Power Automate Workflow
Start and wait for an approval action
Restore a deleted flow
List of actions cheat sheet for Power Automate Desktop
Welcome to the Power Automate forum!

Product updates

Microsoft Power Platform Community release plans