Why can't I double click on a file to open it?

[Guest]

I am a basic user but I should be able to open an Excel file by double
clicking the file. When I do this, Excel starts but my file does not open.
I have to go under "File" and then "Open" every time, which is really
annoying. Is there a setting somewhere that will allow opening files via
double clicking?

 

[Gord Dibben]

Try the usual fix(es) for this problem.

Tools>Options>General uncheck "Ignore other Applications"
Exit Excel and try again

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

Close Excel first and On the Windows Taskbar

1) Start>Run "excel.exe /unregserver"(no quotes)>OK.
2) Start>Run "excel.exe /regserver"(no quotes)>OK.
See the space between exe and /regserver

You might have to designate a full path to excel.exe.
In that case Start>Run "C:\yourpath\excel.exe /regserver"(no quotes)>OK.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

I am a basic user but I should be able to open an Excel file by double
clicking the file. When I do this, Excel starts but my file does not open.
I have to go under "File" and then "Open" every time, which is really
annoying. Is there a setting somewhere that will allow opening files via
double clicking?

Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Jim Rech]

Uncheck Tools, Options, General, Ignore Other Applications.

 

[Guest]

Unchecking "Ignore Other Applications" did it! Thanks so much for your help!