Design Tables - Can't insert, but can edit existing

Problem: If I try to insert a design table into a part or assembly document, nothing happens.  Like literally.  Nothing happens at all.  No errors, not screen flash, nothing.

Any file that already has a design table works just fine.  I can open the table, make changes, add or remove parameters, etc.  I just can't add one.

Background: I know I have inserted design tables on this PC in the past.  However, since then I have both upgraded SW (2017 to 2018) and switched from a standalone, 64 bit Office installation to a 32 bit Click-To-Run.

Things I have tried:

(1) "Blank" option (nothing happens).  Excel does not start, nor does any running instance seem to respond at all.

(2) "Auto-Create" option (nothing happens). Excel does not start, nor does any running instance seem to respond at all.

(3) "From file" option using .xls file, Excel not running  - Excel opens invisibly (I can see it in the Task Manager).  I get "Failed to launch server application".

(4) "From file" option using .xls file, Excel already running - No "extra" instance of Excel started. I still get "Failed to launch server application".

(5) "From file" option using .xlsx file, Excel not running  - Excel opens invisibly (I can see it in the Task Manager).  I get "Failed to launch server application". (same as .xls)

(6) "From file" option using .xlsx file, Excel already running - No "extra" instance of Excel started. I get a very long (<30s) delay, finally get error "Microsoft Excel is waiting for another application to complete an OLE action", OK button is the only option.  After clicking, Excel and SW are still locked up, error reappears after about 10s.  I have to kill Excel through task manager, upon which I get "Failed to launch server application", and an invisible instance of Excel appears in the task manager.

The .xlsx and .xls files I tried were both created by saving an existing design table externally and then deleting some rows/columns to create a blank DT.

All of these attempts are after doing a full "online" repair of Office 365, then a full repair of SolidWorks.

Again, any already-existing design tables behave properly, whether edited in SW or opened in an external window. 

I know that's a bunch... Anyone experience anything like this?  I'm about ready to do a re-image.  Or at least a clean (if that's possible) Office uninstall/reinstall, and same for SW.

SolidworksConfigurations design Tables