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Hello everyone,
I extract type library info from EXCEL.EXE. I need a header file to access enabled excel objects.
The tool is oleview.exe. The generated file is EXCEL.IDL.
During compilation midl.exe report an error:
.\excel.idl(786) : error MIDL2025 : syntax error : expecting a type specification near "single"
.\excel.idl(786) : error MIDL2026 : cannot recover from earlier syntax errors; aborting compilation
How to solve the error problem?
Best Regards
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Hi Aleks ,
Good day! Welcome to Q&A forum.
I understand you're working on creating an excel.idl file with oleview.exe so you can access enabled Excel objects. However, single is considered an invalid data type within the MIDL language, and this is what forces the compiler to stop its process. I've run a test to recreate a similar error scenario and edited this .IDL file by replacing all instances of "single with "float". Please give this change a try and see how it works for you:
If you've already applied this change but are still encountering issues or if a different error has come up, would you be able to provide a screenshot of the error message you're currently seeing? I'll do my best to assist you as quickly as possible
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Yes, I applied changes. Here they are command line and next reported errors:
midl.exe excel.id
Then I insert /mktyplib203 key:
midl.exe /mktyplib203 excel.id
Two steps forward.
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Hi Aleks
First of all, thank you very much for the update and for providing more information about the new errors you've encountered. As a moderator on this forum, setting up a lab environment to precisely replicate all scenarios can sometimes have certain limitations, so I may need a little more time to thoroughly research and understand the errors you're currently facing.
Before we dive into the details of these new errors, could you please confirm for me whether the initial issue related to the single keyword was resolved successfully after you replaced it with float?
Regarding the new syntax errors you're seeing (for example, with MsoCalloutDropType, XlConstants, or Chart), it's often these specific Microsoft Office/Excel data types, objects, or constants that can cause the standard MIDL compiler to not automatically recognize them if they are not clearly defined or correctly imported (i.e., declared for use from another library) directly within your .IDL file.
However, based on the information you've provided on the forum and without being able to see the entire .IDL file directly, it's quite difficult for me to know the exact format and context of the lines of code where MIDL is reporting these errors.
To be able to assist you more specifically and effectively, I was hoping we could discuss this further via private message. If you're able to share the .IDL file, or at least a screenshot of the initial section of your code (particularly the import statements at the beginning), I believe we could pinpoint the issue more easily and I could then try out some support steps.
Hi Jack,
I confirm 'float' data type replace 'single' successfully.
My goal is Excel (Automation) Objects. I have to #include a header file, where the Excel data structures(objects, interfaces) are declared. Let`s take Application(as above) interface and follow my steps
So, I do not program an IDL/ODL interface(I can not), just compile system generated EXCEL.IDL. What expecting is *.h file in C/C++ style.
If there is a shortcut to *.h, let me known. Otherwise I am ready to see it through to the end.