I can't double click to open an excel document

[H8itear]

I am unable to double-click any *.xls file to open it, all I get is
blank with the icons across the top etc.
At that point if I open the document from File/Open it will appear.
am using office 97 sp2 on windows XP sp1+. All other office apps ar
ok.
Any help would be appreciated.
TI

 

[DNF Karran]

MS office reinstall is the best plan.....

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
before re-installing try the following:
goto 'Tools-Options-General " and uncheck "Ignore other Applications"
Exit Excel and try again

If this doesn't work try to re-register Excel

1. Close Excel first and
2. On the Windows Taskbar
2.1 Start>Run "excel.exe /unregserver"(no quotes)>OK.
2.2 Start>Run "excel.exe /regserver"(no quotes)>OK.

 

[H8itear]

Thanks for your replies people...

Ok first I tried what Frank Said, no difference other than I get a
error when I double click on any *.xls file: *Windows cannot fin
document.xls, make sure you typed the name correctly and try agai
etc.*
So then I tried a full un-install then re-install (tried opening the
again), then did Franks suggestion again, before and after I re-applie
the service packs for Office...Still the same...

AAAAAH! I've had a successful installation in the past with office 9
on XP I don't understand it

 

[H8itear]

Any further ideas on this problem?

 

[Gord Dibben]

(quoting Dave Peterson recent post)

Are you sure the workbook is open?

Try window|Arrange|tiled
If it shows up, resize by hand and save the workbook.

If it didn't show up,
Try window|unhide
if it appears then, save the workbook.

Gord Dibben Excel MVP

 

[H8itear]

I don't think the workbook is even opening, when I go to windows
arrange | tile, all is greyed out...

 

[Dave Peterson]

You tried both the things that Frank suggested (the /regserver stuff with excel
closed)?

I'd try that one more time--just in case.

But if that doesn't work, maybe you can tweak the way windows works.

I use xl2002 under win98 (you may want to find someone with your configuration
to verify your settings):

I started Windows Explorer
View (from the MenuBar)
File Type Tab
Scrolled down to Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (extensions are XLB and XLS)
Clicked the Edit button

Description of type: Microsoft Excel Worksheet
Content Type (MIME): application/vnd.msexcel
default extension for content type: .xls

Actions
Open (is bolded)

(I have Enable quick view, Confirm open after download, browse in same window
all enabled.
I have "always show extension" unchecked, but enabled elsewhere.)

When I click on Open the the Edit button, I see this:

Action
&Open (greyed out)

Application used to perform action:
"C:\MSOffice\Office10\EXCEL.EXE" /e

Use DDE is checked

DDE message:
[open("%1")]

Application:
Excel

DDE application Not Running:
(blank)

Topic:
System


=====================
But do give that /unregserver and /regserver bit a try once more.

It sure looks safer than screwing around with all this stuff.

 

[H8itear]

Thanks for your reply, I ran the regserver again - no difference, I even
tried shutting down between unreg and reg, I also went through the
settings as you suggested and checked against a mates pc with the same
setup as me (office97 on XP) he has the same entries. This is so
frustrating, I don't understand why I can't just double click instead
of opening xl and then opening a file...Look like Open Office for
me......

 

[AlfD]

Hi!

My last resort has sometimes been System Restore and it has sometime
worked for me. Might be worth a try if you can wind back to a date whe
things were working OK (if you can remember such a date...)?

Al

 

[H8itear]

Yes, that was the first thing I did, as this was a recent new full
install I was able to system restore to the initial install.

 

[Guest]

Kinda late to help you, but I found a fix for this same problem. after some testing, i found that this was a profile specific issue, and i deleted the "\docs settings\<user>\application\microsoft\excel" folder, and it seemd to work after that. this was on an xp system running office xp.