Powershell script cannot access a file when run as a Scheduled Task

Question

My Powershell (2.0) script has the following code snippet:

$fileName = \"c:\\reports\\1.xlsx\"
$xl = new-object -comobject excel.application
$xlFormat = [Mic         


        

Answer 1

To extend what @TessellatingHeckler provided, you can run the following commands in Powershell(As Admin/Elevated) to create the folders before opening excel, in my script this fixed the issue:

New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop
if ([Environment]::Is64BitProcess -ne [Environment]::Is64BitOperatingSystem)
{
    New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path C:\Windows\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\Desktop
}

Answer 2

The solutions above didn't work in my SCSM 2012 Scorch environment, instead I used PSExcel (https://github.com/RamblingCookieMonster/PSExcel) which has no dependency on having Excel installed or the ComObject.

Answer 3

I think you've hit a bug in Excel:

You have to create a folder (or two on a 64bit-windows):

(32Bit, always)

C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Desktop

(64Bit)

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\config\systemprofile\Desktop

I have had the same problem and this was the only solution i have found.

From TechNet Forums (via PowerShell and Excel Issue when Automating )