Error: embedded Excel spreadsheet

Occasionally I have an error with my embedded spreadsheets- it is "Microsoft Office Word can't start the application required to open this object. An error occurred and this feature is no longer functioning properly. Would you like to repair this feature now?"
I say "yes", and it says it is "Installing Application Server". Then it goes to a screen that says "This object was created in Excel. This application is not available to open this object. Make sure the application is properly installed and that it has not been deleted, moved or renamed."
My only recourse is to re-boot. It is a waste of time and I lose my place in my work.
Do you know of a fix without rebooting?