problem with window capture and MS Office files

[Joseph Zorzin]

I'm using V27.2.4- which I was told is the most recent version compatible with Win 8.1. So far, I love the program. But, one thing I'm having trouble with. If doing a "window capture"- it has no trouble capturing a pdf file which loads itself into Acrobat. But I can't get window capture to capture an MS Office spreadsheet or Word file. I do get a blank white window but with nothing in it. The properties function even knows that it's Excel or Word and it knows the name of the file loaded into one of those programs. I'm trying to do this without having the desktop showing using "display capture". It will work if I have an Excel or Word file loaded on to the "displace capture"- of course to do that I don't try to load the Word or Excel into a window capture- I just run the program on the display. The reason I'd prefer to have Word or Excel load into a window capture is so I don't have an overly busy screen since my desktop is loaded with dozens of icons. I'd like to have just have me in a video capture device using my webcam and whatever I want to discuss, such as a video, a web site, photos- and ideally a spreadsheet or word doc all on a black background. Not a big deal- maybe what I'd like to do isn't doable and I do have a work around- just thought I'd ask. And again, I love this program. I'll keep using it until I master it then perhaps I can come back here and help others.

 

[koala]

Upgrade to Windows 10 or 11. The MS Office desktop apps can be window-captured if running under Windows 10 or 11. Both OS versions support an alternative window capture method not available with previous Windows versions.

 

[Joseph Zorzin]

Koala, thanks for your comment. I have found a solution that works for me until I can buy a new PC. I saw a YouTuber do this. I use desktop capture- then shrink it a bit and move it to the right just enough to have space to use my web cam to the left of the desktop. Then, I can use my very old Office apps running on that desktop to load any Office files, or just images, videos, YouTube, etc. When I get a new PC I'll install the latest OBS. I did look at it on my wife's almost new PC and see minor differences- but what I can already will be all I need for the time being. I'd just to add here how much I love OBS!