Here’s How To Fix QuickBooks Compile Error in Hidden Module

Listen to this article

QuickBooks is an advanced accounting application that can be integrated with several applications, including Microsoft Office, to expand its functionality for diverse purposes. Recently, a number of users reported a QuickBooks compile error in hidden module while running Client Ready Reports, generating State W2 e-files, or exporting payroll reports in QBDT right after installing the QuickBooks updates. In certain instances, updating MS Office has also been reported to trigger a compile error. In this article, we will delve deep into the explanation, causes, and solutions for compile errors in hidden modules in QuickBooks Desktop, so keep reading it until the end.

Not being able to export Excel from QuickBooks because of compile error can restrict several crucial operations like filing state W2s. If you don’t want this error to mess up your finances, reach out to the experts at ASquare Cloud Hosting by dialing +1855-738-0359

What is the Compile Error in Hidden Module QuickBooks?

The QuickBooks compile error appears when a code in a document is incompatible with the application’s platform, version, or architecture. For example, if a code in a document is designed for 32-bit Microsoft Office applications but attempts to run on 64-bit Office, it may lead to this error. It is encountered while exporting Excel reports in the application and is associated with an error message saying, “Compile error in hidden module: default report.” Another error message that frequently appears with this error reads, 

Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications

Compile error in hidden module: UpdateReports. This error commonly occurs when the code is incompatible with the version, platform, or architecture of this application.

As you are now completely aware of the QuickBooks compile error in the hidden module, let’s move forward and figure out its causes.

What are the Reasons Behind Excel Compile Error in Hidden Modules?

Before implementing the troubleshooting solutions, it’s equally important to learn what reasons eventually trigger an error in QuickBooks. Therefore, with a thorough inspection, we have found the following issues responsible for the compile error in the hidden module while exporting to Excel in QuickBooks: Go through the list of reasons below.

• Incompatibility between MS Office and QuickBooks can lead to this error.
• You might be using an outdated version of QuickBooks Desktop or MS Office.
• When there are incompatible macros or add-ins in MS Excel or other programs.
• When your W2 e-file templates are of an older version, and you try to export them in 64-bit Excel.
• You have not enabled or correctly set up macros in Excel.
• Corruption in the company file can also be a prominent reason for QuickBooks Desktop compile error.
• Damaged QuickBooks Desktop or MS Office installation.
• Restrictions imposed by ActiveX Controls or User Account Control on Windows.
• Sometimes, antivirus applications on the system can also prevent you from exporting Excel reports and lead to the compile error in the hidden module.

Figuring out the exact cause of any error is half the troubleshooting done, as you can pinpoint the exact solution to be implemented. Let’s move on to the next section of this article and learn some of the most effective ways to troubleshoot QuickBooks Desktop compile error in hidden module.

How To Fix Compile Error In Hidden Module Excel?

We suggest you follow the solutions below in the same order to avoid any issues while fixing compile errors in hidden module Excel.

Solution 1: Run the Verify and Rebuild Data Utility in QuickBooks Desktop

You can run the Verify and Rebuild utility in from QB Desktop to rectify any data damage issues in your company file that might be causing the compile error in the hidden module.

> Steps to Run the Verify Data Utility

• Firstly, open QuickBooks Desktop, go to the File menu, and select the Utilities option.
• Then, click the Verify Data option.
• The tool will then check your company file and will give any of the following results based on the detailed analysis:

1. QuickBooks detected no problem with your data: This means that your data has no issues, and you do not need to do anything else.
2. An error message: You can get a particular error message that you need to look for and resolve accordingly.
3. Your data has lost integrity: It means that your company file data is damaged, and you need to rebuild it.

> Steps to Run the Rebuild Utility

• Firstly, go to the File section, click Utilities, and then choose the Rebuild Data option.
• Then, QuickBooks will ask you to create a backup of your data before it rebuilds your company file. Click OK to create a backup before rebuilding.
• Further, select the location where you want to save the backup and click OK. Make sure not to replace any previous backup file; enter a new name and hit Save.
• Now, it will rebuild your data; once you get the Rebuild has completed message on the screen, select OK.
• Again, go to the File section, select Utilities, and then click Verify Data. This step is performed to check for additional data damage.
• If the verify utility finds more damage, then fix it manually. Search for the errors in the qbwin.log file and perform the necessary troubleshooting.
• Lastly, if you don’t find any error, restore the recent backup. Go to the File section and click Open or Restore Company for this.
• Try to perform the same task that triggered the compile error in hidden module QuickBooks. In case the error persists, move on to the next solution.

Solution 2: Run Quick Fix My File and QuickBooks File Doctor From QB Tool Hub

These two utilities in QB Tool Hub, Quick Fix My File and QuickBooks File Doctor, will help fix data damage in the company files. You just need to download the QuickBooks Tool Hub application on the system to have access to these utilities.

> Steps To Download and Install QB Tool Hub on the System

For a better experience, try using the Tool Hub application on Windows 10, 64-bit.

• Firstly, close the QuickBooks application and download the most recent version of QuickBooks Tool Hub from HERE.
• Secondly, save the file somewhere you can easily locate it afterward (like your Download folder or Windows desktop). 

Note: If the Tool Hub application is already installed on the system, check its version to ensure it is the latest release (1.6.0.3). Go to the Home tab; the version will be mentioned at the bottom.

• Now, open the Tool Hub installer file (QuickBooksToolHub.exe) that you have downloaded.
• Further, follow the instructions on the screen to install it and agree to the Terms and Conditions.
• Lastly, when the installation is completed, double-click the tool hub icon on the Desktop to launch it.

Note: If you cannot find the Tool Hub icon, search for it in the Windows Start Menu and select it from the results.

> Steps to Run Quick Fix My File

• Go to the Company File Issues tab from the tool hub and select the Quick Fix My File option.
• Hit OK when it completes the scan process and launch the QB application.
• If the application displays the QuickBooks compile error in hidden module, proceed to run the file doctor.

> Steps to Run QuickBooks File Doctor

• In the QB Tool Hub application, go to the Company File Issues tab.
• Then, select the Run QuickBooks File Doctor option. The File Doctor tool may take up to a minute to open. 

Note: If the QB File Doctor does not open, then search for it using Windows Search and launch it manually.

• Now, in the File Doctor, you need to select the company file from the drop-down menu. If you do not see your company file listed there, then hit the Browse and Search button to find it.
• Then, select the Check your file option (the middle one) and hit Continue.
• After this, you need to enter the QuickBooks admin password and hit Next.
• The File Doctor tool will then scan your file for any damage; it may take about 10-15 minutes, depending on your file size. You may get a “scan was unsuccessful message” even if it fixes the issue. However, do not worry; just open QB and the company file after the scan finishes and check again for the compile error. If the compile error persists, move to the next solution.

Solution 3: Ensure the QuickBooks Desktop is Up-to-date

Here’s how you can get the latest QuickBooks Desktop application updates:

• After logging into QB Desktop, press the F2 or Ctrl +  1 key to check the current version and release. The current release numbers for each version of QBDT are as follows: QuickBooks 2024 R4_13, QuickBooks 2023 R3_172, QuickBooks 2022 R7_20, QuickBooks 2021 R12_7, and QuickBooks 2020 R16_25.
• To update the QuickBooks Desktop, go to the Help menu and click Update QuickBooks Desktop.
• After this, go to the Update Now tab and click Get Updates.
• Once done, you need to close and reopen QB Desktop.
• Now, choose Yes when it asks you to install the updates.
• In the end, restart the system once the installation finishes.

If you find the compile error resurfacing in the QuickBooks program, follow the next troubleshooting solution.

Solution 4: Install the Latest Payroll Updates to Get the Updated Forms

Installing the payroll updates ensures you have the updated payroll forms that are compatible with all supported versions of MS Excel.

1. Go to the Employees tab and select Get Payroll Updates, followed by selecting the Download Entire Update option.
2. Then, select Update and wait until QuickBooks notifies you about the successful installation of the updates.

Retry to export the payroll form to Excel and check if updating the payroll helps resolve the error. If not, check MS Office compatibility with QuickBooks in the next solution.

Solution 5: Check MS Office Compatibility with QuickBooks Desktop

Each version of QB Desktop works best with some specific versions of Microsoft Office. Therefore, if there is a compatibility issue, it can give way to QuickBooks compile error in hidden module.

Go through the section below to check the MS Office compatibility with different versions of QB.

MS Office Versions Compatible with QuickBooks Desktop 2021

List of MS Office versions compatible with QuickBooks Desktop 2021.

• Office 2019.
• Office 2016 (including Outlook 2016), both 32 and 64-bit.
• Office 2013 and 365 (including Outlook 2013) both on 32 and 64-bit. Microsoft 365 only supports local installation and not the web version.
• Microsoft Outlook 2016-2019, Microsoft Outlook with Microsoft 365, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Outlook.com, other SMTP-supporting email clients for emailing estimates, invoices, and other forms.
• Microsoft Word 2019, 2016, 2013, or Microsoft 365 (includes 64-bit) for preparing letters.
• Microsoft Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, or Microsoft 365 (includes 64-bit) for exporting reports.
• Outlook 2019  (32-bit), 2016, or 2013 is needed for Contact Synchronization with Microsoft Outlook.

Note: The Contact Sync feature doesn’t work with the MSBusiness Contact Manager Outlook plug-in and thus can cause duplicate records.

MS Office Versions Compatible with QuickBooks Desktop 2022

List of MS Office versions compatible with QuickBooks Desktop 2022.

• MS Office 2019.
• MS Office 2016 (including Outlook 2016), both 32 and 64-bit.
• MS Office 2013 and 365 (including Outlook 2013), both 32 and 64-bit. Note: MS 365 only supports local installation and not the web version.
• Microsoft Outlook 2016-2019, Microsoft Outlook with Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, and other SMTP-supporting email clients for emailing estimates, invoices, and other forms.
• Microsoft Word 2019, 2016, 2013, or Microsoft 365 (includes 64-bit) for preparing letters.
• Microsoft Excel 2019, 2016, 2013, or Microsoft 365 (includes 64-bit) for exporting reports.
• Microsoft Outlook requires Outlook 2019  (32-bit), 2016, or 2013 for contact synchronization with Microsoft Outlook.

MS Office Versions Compatible with QuickBooks Desktop 2023

List of MS Office versions compatible with QuickBooks Desktop 2023.

• MS Office 2021.
• MS Office 2019.
• MS Office 2016 (including Outlook 2016), both 32 and 64-bit.
• MS Office 2013 and 365 (including Outlook 2013), both 32 and 64-bit. Note: MS 365 only supports local installation and not the web version.
• Microsoft Outlook 2016-2021, Microsoft Outlook with Microsoft 365, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook.com, and other SMTP-supporting email clients for emailing estimates, invoices, and other forms.
• Microsoft Word 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, or Microsoft 365 (includes 64-bit) for preparing letters.
• Microsoft Excel 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, or Microsoft 365 (includes 64-bit) for exporting reports.
• Microsoft Outlook requires Outlook 2021, 2019  (32 and 64-bit), 2016, or 2013 for contact synchronization.

MS Office Versions Compatible with QuickBooks Desktop 2024

List of MS Office versions compatible with QuickBooks Desktop 2024.

• Office 2021
• Office 2019
• Office 2016 (including Outlook 2016), both on 32 and 64-bit
• Microsoft Outlook 2016-2021, Microsoft Outlook with Microsoft 365, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook.com, and other SMTP-supporting email clients for emailing estimates, invoices, and other forms.
• Microsoft Word 2021, 2019, 2016, or Microsoft 365 (includes 64-bit) for preparing letters.
• Microsoft Excel 2021, 2019, 2016, or Microsoft 365 (includes 64-bit) for exporting reports.
• Microsoft Outlook requires Outlook 2021, 2019  (32 and 64-bit), 2016 for contact synchronization.

If your Microsoft version is incompatible with QuickBooks, you must upgrade it and proceed with the next solution if the error is unresolved.

Solution 6: Repair MS Office to fix the Compile Error in the Hidden Module

The QuickBooks compile error in hidden module can quickly be resolved by repairing the Microsoft Office.

NOTE: The steps to access the repair tool vary depending on the Operating systems you’re using.

• Right-click the Start button in the lower left corner and choose the Apps and Features option on the pop-up menu.

• Now, select the Microsoft Office product you want to repair and hit Modify.

Note: This will repair the entire Office suite, even if you only need to repair only one application like Excel. So, if you use a standalone app, then search for that application by name.

• The repair options depend on the installation type, which is either a Click-to-run or MSI-based install. Follow the steps as per your installation type:

For Click-to-run Type Installation

1. In the window, saying, How would you like to repair your Office Programs, select the Online Repair option followed by Repair to get everything fixed.
2. You will also see the Quick Repair option here, but it only detects and repairs the corrupted files.

For MSI-based Type Installation

1. In the Change your Installation window, you will need to select Repair and then Continue.
2. After this, follow the instructions mentioned on the screen to complete the repair process.

Once done, restart your system and launch QuickBooks Desktop again. Check whether the QB hidden module compile error is fixed. If not, proceed with the next solution and disable UAC on Windows.

Solution 7: Toggle Windows User Account Controls (UAC) Settings

When you disable the Windows UAC settings, all restrictions from QuickBooks and Office get removed, which can fix the Compile Error in the Hidden Module. The below-given steps work for Windows 7, 8, and 10 users.

• Open the Windows Start menu and search for the User Account Control Settings.
• Then, open the User Account Control Settings from the results.
• Here, move the slider to the Never Notify option and hit OK.
• Lastly, restart the system and open the QB Desktop. Check if the QuickBooks Desktop compile error in hidden module is resolved.

If you re-encounter the error even after disabling UAC, follow the next solution.

Solution 8: Reinstall QuickBooks and Excel

If repairing the MS Excel or updating the QB Desktop did not resolve the issue, you need to reinstall the QuickBooks application and Excel on the system. 

Here’s what you need to do – 

• First, re-install QuickBooks Desktop.  
• Now, go back to the QB and try exporting a report or performing the same task that triggered the error. 
• If you still get the compile error, you need to uninstall and reinstall MS Office.
• Once done, ensure to restart the system, launch QuickBooks, and check whether the issue is fixed.

If this method did not resolve the QuickBooks Excel compile error in the hidden module, follow the next solution.

Solution 9: Revert Excel Back to a Previous Version

As reported by some users, compile errors start appearing after getting an update of MS Office. This indicates a possible bug in the latest update that has been triggering the error. In this situation, experts suggest rolling back to the Excel version Build 15831.20208. For detailed instructions on how to revert Excel to an earlier version, follow this GUIDE by Microsoft.

Advanced Troubleshooting Solutions to Fix Compile Errors in Hidden Module Excel QuickBooks

The compile error occurs in MS Excel or Word if a compilation error exists in the VBA code inside a protected module. The program does not expose the specific compilation error because the module is protected. To fix this complex situation triggering Excel compile error in QuickBooks, you will need to follow the advanced solutions below.

Solution 1: Try to Unprotect the VBA Code Module

• If you have access to the VBA code in the document or project, then you need to unprotect the module and run the code again to check for the specific error.
• If you do not have access to the VBA code in the document, then you need to contact the document author and get the code in the hidden module updated.

Solution 2: Reregister OCX files with the Command Prompt

The compile error can be a result of a Windows update; hence, you can try registering a mscomctl.ocx file to fix it. Here’s how you can register it:

• Press the Windows and X keys on the keyboard, choose the Command Prompt option, and run it as an admin.
• Now, if you are using a 32-bit Windows system, enter the following commands:
  • regsvr32 -u c:windowssystem32mscomctl.ocx
  • regsvr32 c:windowssystem32mscomctl.ocx
• In case you use a 64-bit Windows computer, then enter the following commands:
  • regsvr32 -u c:windowssyswow64mscomctl.ocx
  • regsvr32 c:windowssyswow64mscomctl.ocx

Solution 3: Get the Latest Updates of Adobe Acrobat

You must follow this solution only if you have Adobe Acrobat installed on your system.

1. Launch the Adobe application and open the Help tab.
2. Lastly, click the Check for Updates option to get the updater window, and hit the Download and Install option.

Solution 4: Move the File Created by PDFmaker to Another Folder

You must only follow this solution if you have installed PDFmaker on your system.

1. Enter PDfmaker.xla in the Windows search box and search for it.
2. Now search PDFmaker.dot in the Windows search and right-click its icon in the results.
3. Select the Open file location option, and if you can’t find the files in the folder, look for them in the MS Office Start-up and Xlstart folders.
4. Now right-click the PDFmaker files in the folder and select Cut.
5. Lastly, go to the Desktop, create a new folder, and paste the files there.

Solution 5: Update or Uninstall the Norton Antivirus Software From the System

If you have installed Norton Antivirus on the system, then it might also lead to the compile error in the hidden module. So, to fix it, you must first try to update it. You can check for its updates by selecting the Update Me Now option in the Norton dashboard. You can also right-click the Norton Antivirus system tray icon and choose the Norton LiveUpdate option.

If updating the Norton Antivirus does not fix the issue, here’s how you can uninstall it.

• Press the Windows and R keys to open the Run window on the screen.
• Then, type the command appwiz.cpl in the Run window and hit OK.
• Now, from the list of installed applications, choose Norton Antivirus software and click the Uninstall button. Confirm to remove the software from the system.

Conclusion

Hopefully, the solutions mentioned above will help you easily resolve the QuickBooks compile error in hidden module error. We understand that following the advanced troubleshooting solutions can be challenging, and if you find yourself stuck somewhere, we recommend you connect with our experts at Asquare Cloud Hosting. Dial +1(855)-738-0359 now and speak to our ProAdvisors.

Alastor Moody

Alastor Moody is an Author at Asquare Cloud Hosting with experience in technical and functional writing. He loves travelling for adventure and fun.