Opening an excel file

[Mel]

I used to be able to double-click on an excel file and it would open
automatically. Now, all of a sudden, when a double-click an excel file, only
the application opens and I need to then browse and open the file. I find
this to be a nuisance. How can I return to double-clicking to open a file?

 

[Chip Pearson]

Go to the Tools menu and choose Options. There, choose the General tab
and UNCHECK "Ignore Other Applications". What is happening is this:
When you double-click a file icon in a folder or the desktop, Windows
sees the "xls" file extension and via the Registry determines that
Excel is associated with that file. So, Windows opens Excel. It then
sends a DDE message to Excel stating "open c:\path\file.xls". When
Excel receives this DDE message, it opens the file. However, if
"Ignore Other Applications" setting is checked, Excel ignores messages
from other applications, including the DDE message from Windows
instructing it to open the file. Thus, the file isn't opened.
Unchecking that option will cause Excel to respond to the DDE message
and open the file.

Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional,
Excel, 1998 - 2010
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com