Excel Addin Setup File - Could not load file or assembly 'System.Buffers, Version=4.0.2.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=cc7b13ffcd2ddd51'

[SenthilRG]

I have installed PnP.Framework NuGet package to read files from the SharePoint portal in my Excel Addin project (.Net Framework 4.6.1). When I debug my project locally, my Addin related code is working fine. I have bundled the entire deployment files as an executable file by using Visual Studio Setup project (.msi file). After installing the Excel Addin, I am getting below error. I have tried various approaches to resolve this issue. There is no luck still now. Could you please help me to resolve this issue?

PnP.Framework Version: 1:13.0

System.Text.Json Version: 4.7.2

Also I have added binding redirect in app.config file like below.

<assemblyBinding xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1">
   <dependentAssembly>
       <assemblyIdentity name="System.Buffers" publicKeyToken="cc7b13ffcd2ddd51" culture="neutral" />
	   <bindingRedirect oldVersion="0.0.0.0-4.0.3.0" newVersion="4.0.3.0" />
   </dependentAssembly>
</assemblyBinding>

Stack Trace:

Message: Could not load file or assembly 'System.Buffers, Version=4.0.2.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=cc7b13ffcd2ddd51' or one of its dependencies. The located assembly's manifest definition does not match the assembly reference. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131040) StackTrace: at System.Text.Json.JsonSerializer.Deserialize(String json, Type returnType, JsonSerializerOptions options) at System.Text.Json.JsonSerializer.Deserialize[TValue](String json, JsonSerializerOptions options) at PnP.Framework.Utilities.TokenHelper.GetMetadataDocument(String realm) at PnP.Framework.Utilities.TokenHelper.GetStsUrl(String realm) at PnP.Framework.Utilities.TokenHelper.GetAppOnlyAccessToken(String targetPrincipalName, String targetHost, String targetRealm) at PnP.Framework.Utilities.ACSTokenGenerator.GetToken(Uri siteUrl) at PnP.Framework.AuthenticationManager.b__62_0(String site) at PnP.Framework.AuthenticationManager.<>c__DisplayClass78_0.b__0(Object sender, WebRequestEventArgs args) at Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ClientRuntimeContext.OnExecutingWebRequest(WebRequestEventArgs args) at Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ClientContext.GetWebRequestExecutor()
at Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ClientContext.d__37.MoveNext() --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown --- at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.ThrowForNonSuccess(Task task) at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task) at Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ClientContext.d__36.MoveNext() --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown --- at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.ThrowForNonSuccess(Task task) at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task) at Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ClientContext.d__28.MoveNext() --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown --- at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.ThrowForNonSuccess(Task task) at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task) at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.GetResult()
at GoSystem_Extension_Automation.Dialogs.SettingsDialog.d__36.MoveNext() Source: System.Text.Json TargetSite: System.Object Deserialize(System.String, System.Type, System.Text.Json.JsonSerializerOptions)

[KalleOlaviNiemitalo]

Linking to dotnet/msbuild#9645 to minimise duplicated work.

Which version of Excel are you using? From https://stackoverflow.com/questions/25664372/making-binding-redirects-work-for-office-add-ins/69575258#69575258, it looks like newer versions might work better.

[SenthilRG]

@KalleOlaviNiemitalo,
I am using Microsof Excel for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2302 Build 16.0.16130.20848) 32-bit.

[JanKrivanek]

@SenthilRG -have you tried to troubleshoot with Fusion Logging on?

What info do we have supporting this is a bug?

[SenthilRG]

@JanKrivanek

I have used Fusion Logging under my project directory. Nothing is showing up in the popup. I have tried to create the installer file (.msi file) for Desktop based application by using Visual Studio Setup project. We are able to successfully connect to the SharePoint portal programmatically from the application after the installation. We have used the same code in Excel Addin project (VSTO project) to connect to the SharePoint portal programmatically. It is failing with below error. We are using PnP Framework to connect with the SharePoint. System.Text.Json.dll is internally referring System.Buffers with v4.0.2. AngleSharp.dll is internally referring System.Buffers with v4.0.3. When I debug the code locally the SharePoint related code is working fine. If I try to invoke the addin after the installation, then it is not working. I have attached the sample code for your reference.

"Could not load file or assembly 'System.Buffers, Version=4.0.2.0'"

SampleExcelAddIn.zip

[KalleOlaviNiemitalo]

If you put something in the appSettings configuration section, is the add-in able to read that via ConfigurationManager.AppSettings? If not, that suggests the config file is not loaded for the application domain, which would then explain why the assembly bindings don't work.

[SenthilRG]

@KalleOlaviNiemitalo

I am not able to read the appSettings configuaration section values via the Excel Add-in after the setup installation. But the installer has been bundled with "{ProjectName}.dll.config" file which contains the appSettings configuration values.

[SenthilRG]

@KalleOlaviNiemitalo

I have updated the manifest file path by adding "file:///" at the beginning of the Installer project. Now I am able to read the appSettings values. Assembly issue also got resolved. Thank you so much. Please close this ticket.

[KalleOlaviNiemitalo]

@SenthilRG I don't have the authority to close anyone else's tickets in this repository. You can close this yourself.

[SenthilRG]

The issue got resolved now. Hence closing this ticket.