---
title: "Sage 300 error: Initializing FR Error (12) when starting Financial Reporter"
description: "Sage 300 Tips & Tricks - Learn how to troubleshoot the \"Sage 300 ERP Initializing FR Error (12)\" when opening the Financial Reporting Statement Designer."
---

[Equation Tech Blog ](https://www.equationtech.us/sage-accpac-blog)

# [Sage 300 error: Initializing FR Error (12) when starting Financial Reporter](https://www.equationtech.us/sage-accpac-blog/sage-300-initializing-fr-error-12)

 Written by [EQ Tech](https://www.equationtech.us/sage-accpac-blog/author/eq-tech) | Wed, Aug 30, 2017

### Error: "Initializing FR Error (12)" when starting Financial Reporter Statement Designer

A recent Microsoft Office® Update for Excel 2016 Professional Edition has created a problem with some [Sage 300](https://www.equationtech.us/sage-services/sage-300) (formerly Sage Accpac) installations. Specifically, with **Financial Reporting** (found in **General Ledger** > **Financial Reporter** > **Statement Designer**). When you start the **Statement Designer**, you get an FrCom Addin error: "**Initializing FR Error (12) : Fail in starting Print Financial Statements**".

Now when you try to do anything in the **Statement Designer**, such as **FR View** or **FR Paste**, nothing happens.

To remedy this issue, follow these steps:

1. Locate the file MSCOMCTL.ocx in the following folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\VFS\SystemX86 and re-name it to MSCOMCTL.BAK.
2. Copy the same file from C:\Windows\SysWOW64\MSCOMCTL.ocx to C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\VFS\SystemX86 folder.

You may have to reboot the machine, or at least log out and back in, after applying this fix.

### Need Help? Speak with a Sage 300 Expert

If you’re still having trouble or if you have questions about financial reporting and other Sage 300 errors, click below to leave us a note. A Sage 300 expert will follow up and help to get the problem solved.

[Speak with an expert](https://www.equationtech.us/speak-with-an-expert)

[View full post](https://www.equationtech.us/sage-accpac-blog/sage-300-initializing-fr-error-12)

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