Prevent multiple instances in Excel 2007

[Steve]

How can I open files within a single instance of Excel? Multiple instances
are causing havoc with the Essbase add-in. I recently upgraded from 2003 when
this problem started. Multiple instances seem like the new default, which
have also taken over when I use Excel 2003--both are loaded on my PC.
Thanks

 

[Squeaky]

If you are referring to the amount of times you see it in the taskbar, right
click on the taskbar, Properties, check "Group similar taskbar buttons".

Squeaky.

 

[Leo]

I doubt he means that. Excel really opens multiple instances of itself. I
frequently want to tile the excel windows only to discover that the files are
opened in seperate excel instances and can therefore not be tiled.

A real nuisance

 

[Squeaky]

I find that happens only when I click on the Excel program icon for the
second time. Does it open a second instance when using the "Open File"
command in an already running excel instance?

Steve, how are you opening the second document?

 

[Leo]

Actually I frequently open an excel file from Dynamics AX by chosing: send to
excel. A second cause is opening excel files straight from Outlook. As a
result I often have 3 or more instances running. Opening excel from Dynamics
AX always opens up a new instance. Truly not very handy.

 

[Steve]

I generally use Windows Explorer but I still get multiple instances when
opening a file from within Excel. Sometimes extra instances will hang in
memory, which hangs Essbase, and everything must be shut down via task
manager.

Is there a patch/technique to prevent these Excel hangs? BTW, I am using the
"%1" file open patch.

 

[Steve]

Looks like I fixed this by uninstalling Office 2003 today.