Do you really mean another instance or do you mean just another window on the
taskbar.
If the same instance, then Tools|options|view Tab|check windows in taskbar
(added in xl2k).
If you mean another instance, then you could try this:
This is one of the suggested fixes when people want to stop multiple instances
of excel:
An alternative might be to do:
Try Tools|Options|General|Ignore other applications (uncheck it)
So you might want to check that option to see if that helps you.
But that won't open another instance if you're doing a File|New. It may if
you're creating a new workbook by using windows explorer and double clicking on
a template (or rightclicking on a .xls and selecting New).
But you could use a macro to create that other instance of excel. But then
you'll have to open your addins and stuff in your xlstart yourself--or have the
macro do it:
Option Explicit
Sub testme()
Dim NewXL As Object
Dim myAddin As AddIn
Dim myFiles() As String
Dim myFile As String
Dim myPath As String
Dim fCtr As Long
Dim iCtr As Long
Set NewXL = CreateObject("excel.application")
NewXL.Visible = True
NewXL.Workbooks.Add
For Each myAddin In NewXL.AddIns
If myAddin.Installed Then
Workbooks.Open Filename:=myAddin.FullName
End If
Next myAddin
myPath = Application.StartupPath & "\"
myFile = Dir(myPath & "*.xl*")
'get the list of files
fCtr = 0
Do While myFile <> ""
fCtr = fCtr + 1
ReDim Preserve myFiles(1 To fCtr)
myFiles(fCtr) = myFile
myFile = Dir()
Loop
If fCtr > 0 Then
For iCtr = LBound(myFiles) To UBound(myFiles)
If LCase(myFiles(iCtr)) = "sheet.xlt" _
Or LCase(myFiles(iCtr)) = "book.xlt" Then
'do nothing
Else
NewXL.Workbooks.Open Filename:=myPath & myFiles(iCtr)
End If
Next iCtr
End If
End Sub
If you're new to macros, you may want to read David McRitchie's intro at:
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/getstarted.htm