If you have checked 'Startup Task Pane' under Tools>Options, View tab,
and the Task Pane doesn't stay open, you may have a hidden workbook that
opens automatically as Excel starts up (e.g. Personal.xls). This causes
the Task Pane to closes despite the Task Pane setting. You can change
the Registry, or add a macro to the workbook that's opening automatically.
There are instruction for a macro in the following MSKB article:
XL2002: Task Pane Disappears When You Start Excel
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?id=293820
Or, you can force the Task Pane to stay open by making a change to the
Registry (make a backup first!):
1. From the Start button, choose Run
2. Type regedit then click OK
3. Click the + sign to the left of HKEY_CURRENT_USER
4. Open Software, Microsoft, Office, 10.0, Common, and click on General
5. Choose Edit>New>DWORD Value
6. Type the name for the DWORD: DoNotDismissFileNewTaskPane
7. Press Enter to complete the renaming
8. Choose Edit>Modify
9. Type 1 as the value and click OK
10. Close the Registry Editor
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