Double-clicking .xls file opens Excel but doesn't open the file

A user was trying to print a directory list of Excel files not know that the
command would try to open each file and print it. He cancelled the job
through Task Manager. Now when he tries to open an Excel file (.xls) by
double-clicking on it, the Excel application opens but the file does not.
File can be opened by clicking on "File", "Open" and selecting the file. Why
won't it open when double-clicking? Thanks.

Check the setting in tools/options/general/ignore other applilcations
(should be unchecked)

"DG" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> A user was trying to print a directory list of Excel files not know that
the
> command would try to open each file and print it. He cancelled the job
> through Task Manager. Now when he tries to open an Excel file (.xls) by
> double-clicking on it, the Excel application opens but the file does not.
> File can be opened by clicking on "File", "Open" and selecting the file.
Why
> won't it open when double-clicking? Thanks.

Thanks for the help.

"Bob Umlas" wrote:

> Check the setting in tools/options/general/ignore other applilcations
> (should be unchecked)
>
> "DG" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > A user was trying to print a directory list of Excel files not know that
> the
> > command would try to open each file and print it. He cancelled the job
> > through Task Manager. Now when he tries to open an Excel file (.xls) by
> > double-clicking on it, the Excel application opens but the file does not.
> > File can be opened by clicking on "File", "Open" and selecting the file.
> Why
> > won't it open when double-clicking? Thanks.
>
>
>

DG

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.

One more thing to try if any of the above brings no joy.........

Go to Start>Settings>Folder>Options>File Types. Scroll down to MS Excel
Worksheet. Then if running Win98 OS Edit> select "Open" and Edit.

If using WinXP OS you would scroll down to .XLS then "Advanced">Open>Edit.

In Command line the path should be similar to this....

"C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE\EXCEL.EXE" /e (delete the <sp>/e if
you want Book1 to open.

You must have the double quotes.

Below have "use DDE" checked and this in the DDE message box....[open("%1")]

Application should read "Excel"(no quotes)


Gord Dibben Excel MVP


On Tue, 14 Jun 2005 07:48:10 -0700, "DG" <[email protected]> wrote:

>A user was trying to print a directory list of Excel files not know that the
>command would try to open each file and print it. He cancelled the job
>through Task Manager. Now when he tries to open an Excel file (.xls) by
>double-clicking on it, the Excel application opens but the file does not.
>File can be opened by clicking on "File", "Open" and selecting the file. Why
>won't it open when double-clicking? Thanks.

Does anyone know what caused this? I'm running excel 2003 and a few weeks
ago, it started with me too. Your solution worked, so thank you, but what
started it? I'm assuming it was a recent patch from microsoft, but still
wondering

"DG" wrote:

> A user was trying to print a directory list of Excel files not know that the
> command would try to open each file and print it. He cancelled the job
> through Task Manager. Now when he tries to open an Excel file (.xls) by
> double-clicking on it, the Excel application opens but the file does not.
> File can be opened by clicking on "File", "Open" and selecting the file. Why
> won't it open when double-clicking? Thanks.