Problem with Personal.xls

[smithchuck]

When I start Excel in any usual way, my Personal.xls file loads fine and I
have my macros. I recently started working with some data on a regular basis
that comes to me in HTML form, and the best way I've found so far to make
Excel import it properly is to open it in Internet Explorer, right-click on
the page, and choose "Export to Microsoft Excel." That then launches Excel
and my data is waiting for me, nicely formatted, in an unsaved workbook
called "Book1". However, none of my macros are available. I have to
manually open up Personal.xls.

If I launch Excel in the usual way, and then do this Export to Excel
process, it appears to open Excel in a separate instance, Macros are
available in one Excel window, and not in the new "Book1". If, while Book1
is open, I try to open Personal.xls, it tells me it's already open and asks
if I want to open a Read-Only copy.

Is there a way I can get this on-the-fly export to Excel to see my
Personal.xls file every time? I can open it manually each time, but that's a
hassle when I have to do this with about 6 files each week.

Thanks,
....Chuck

 

[Dave Peterson]

I don't think you'll be able to change this behavior.

But doesn't your personal.xls file appear at the bottom of the File menu (in the
MRU list). That may make it a touch less unpleasant.

 

[smithchuck]

Thanks for the reply, Dave.

Any idea why it behaves this way?

Yes, I can go to the MRU list. Actually I had already created a separate
macros file and had attached it to a custom button which still works. Oddly,
the button calls a macro in "Personal.xls" which then does a File>Open of the
separate XLS file with a bunch of macros in it that I've been working with.
This got me thinking why the button still works, and I guess it's because it
calls "Personal.XLS" by name.

Maybe if I create my macros as an Add-In, they'll still show up? Something
to play with in my spare time, I guess.

....Chuck

 

[Dave Peterson]

You can automate excel from different applications. Depending on how you
started it, excel won't use anything in the XLStart folder (or in the list of
addins). It's up to the developer to start what he/she wants to use.

When I'm starting excel, I don't want all the addins that the user may have
loaded to run. Some could be waiting for input from the user and I won't be
able to do anything until that's dismissed.

I'm guessing that the developers of the MSIE interface wanted the same ability.

I'd be surprised if changing to an addin would help, but it wouldn't hurt to try
it.

 

[smithchuck]

Thanks for clarifying. That's helpful. Haven't tried the Add-In route yet
(too busy with other stuff).

....Chuck