How to stop multiple instances of Excel 2003 opening

**jonrichco** · 12-17-2010, 04:15 AM

If Excel 2003 is open and I double click an xls file in Explorer, it opens in a new instance of Excel. Very annoying. I can work around it by dragging and dropping the new file onto an open Excel file, causing it to open in the same instance. But this is cumbersome compared to double clicking.

I have seen posts elsewhere (though couldn't find them here) suggesting running
Excel.exe \UnregServer
Excel.exe \RegServer
but this has not helped. In Options/View - Windows in Taskbar is unchecked

Maybe it is something to do with having had a trial 2007 installed which I have tried to remove but keeps wanting to reinstall. Have been using 2003 since it came out and have never experienced this before.

Suggestions on how to persuade Excel 2003 to only open a single instance will be much appreciated.

**Cheeky Charlie** · 12-17-2010, 05:45 AM

Try reasserting the file associations (apologies if the next bit is obvious):
Open any windows window - like 'my documents'
Tools
Folder Options
File types tab
Type xls to bring up the extension
If the lower button says 'restore' click it - then try - this could the solution
If it says 'advanced' - well, we might be struggling, but if you change it, you should then be able to restore it - again, test this.
Third chance:
If you go to advanced, first Open shold be default (shown in bold), in mine I have (after clicking 'edit'):
Application:
"G:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE" /e
/e means embed - I think you need this (you can test it!) - also, I doubt your Office install is in drive G:
I have a tick in Use DDE, then:
DDE Message:
[open("%1")]
Application:
Excel
DDE Application not running:
<blank> - i.e. literally blank, not "<blank>"
Topic:
System

HTH

**jonrichco** · 12-17-2010, 01:19 PM

Thanks CC - sounds as if it could work.
But if in an Explorer window, I click Tools Folder options, I do not get a File types tab. Thus cannot follow your advice. Any ideas?
I am using Win7/64, not that that seems to make any difference - I have never seen a File types tab in any version of Windows.

Also, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with file associations - double clicking an xls file always opens it.

Ran the regserver routine again using the full path, but Excel couldn't find stdole32.tlb, so it looks as if I may need to reinstall or repair Excel. Will try that next.

LATER - did a repair of Office, made no difference. Maybe a full uninstall, including all registry entries, and reinstall might fix it. But can't be bothered. For the time being, will continue to drag and drop the file onto the open instance. A bit of a pain, but manageable. Hope someone has a better idea.

**steve.g** · 01-07-2011, 02:42 AM

You can always get to the 'Folder Options' window through the Control Panel to try the above.
I am trying to get Excel to do exactly what yours is doing (I use multiple monitors), but when I open a second instance of Excel it complains about 'Personal.xls' being locked for editing. If I cancel this, no macros are available in the second instance.

**Cheeky Charlie** · 01-07-2011, 04:09 AM

Just open it as read only.

Or, store your personal macros in an addin - greater portability, easier to use UDFs and no problems with multiple opening.