Understanding Five Common Office API Error Codes and Their Meanings

Office Add-ins empower users to elevate their standard Microsoft Office experience into a customized solution that can revolutionize business operations or tailor Office applications to specific preferences. To fully leverage these add-ins, one needs to familiarize themselves with creating Office APIs, which can lead to unforeseen errors. In this guide, we’ll outline some of the most frequently encountered Office API error codes and provide guidance on how to effectively handle them.

The Five Most Frequently Encountered API Error Codes

When we mention “frequently encountered,” we refer to error codes that are common within the Common API framework, as opposed to application-specific error codes like those that might arise from using the Word JavaScript API. Below are key error codes to watch out for.

Error Code 1 – Error.code 1000

Error.code 1000 indicates that there is an improper coercion type present in your code. Excel serves as a prime example, as it does not accept HTML or OOXML coercion types. This error is likely to occur if you attempt to force these unsupported types into your application. For clarification, type coercion is the method utilized by applications to switch between different object types, and any conflict during this process may result in this error code.

Error Code 2 – Error.code 2009

This error code is straightforward as it deals with data objects. The larger these objects become, the greater the risk of exceeding defined data limits within your Office application. A resolution for this error involves reducing the size of the data object that is causing the issue.

Error Code 3 – Error.code 4000

Every developer understands that naming objects correctly is vital for smooth program execution. When object names are incorrectly specified or nonexistent within your API code, you will encounter error.code 4000.

Error Code 4 – Error.code 5002

Permission denied!

This is the warning associated with this error code, indicating that as the developer, you’re trying to perform an action on a document that lacks the necessary permissions. This error frequently occurs when dealing with restricted editing documents.

Error Code 5 – Error.code 9021

Connection issues are a common occurrence. This particular error code, error.code 9021, suggests that there is a problem preventing you from saving your item to the server. For example, connection problems in “Online Mode” while using Outlook Desktop may trigger this code.

Quick Solutions for Common Office API Error Codes

The aforementioned codes are just a few examples of the Office API error codes you may face during your programming endeavors. Each one has a specific solution that requires identifying the point of failure in your code. However, there are general quick fixes that can apply across multiple error codes.

Fix 1. Check Your Firewall Settings

Your firewall may be obstructing the Office application you’re attempting to use.

Step 1: Type “Windows Security” in the search box at the bottom of your screen and select the corresponding icon.

Step 2: In the left menu, choose “Firewall & network protection,” and review your firewall settings across different domains. Disabling your domain or private network may help get your API code functioning properly.

Step 3: Alternatively, click on “Allow an app through firewall” to give your created application the necessary permissions to bypass the Windows firewall.

Fix 2. Disable Microsoft Edge Compatibility Mode

If you encounter any web-related errors related to the properties you have defined, the compatibility mode in Microsoft Edge might be the source of the problem. Here’s how to deactivate it.

Step 1: Click on the three dots (the “…”) in the upper-right corner of Edge and choose “Settings.”