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Excel - ignore other applications that use dynamic data exchange (dde)

Anonymous
2018-02-20T16:36:06+00:00

I am wondering if there are any known issues that may arise if we set group policy to uncheck the ignore other applications that use dynamic data exchange (dde) in excel.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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Andreas Killer 144.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2018-02-22T18:50:46+00:00

You are right, in most cases the option is not checked. And if it has been activated, then the "normal user" has the known problems. Therefore, your idea to stop this is justified.

On the other hand: If this feature would be useless, why is it there at all?

Possible scenarios are the use of Excel together with an ERP system or CAD system.

If I open an Excel spreadsheet in a CAD system (eg a configuration file within Solidworks), that instance should never respond to DDE because it can have serious consequences. However, the risk is low, since the probability for this in a normal working environment is very low.

I create (in my job) always a 2nd instance which loads a special file with control functions and serves as a front end for our ERP system. This instance is not visible. So if this would react to DDE, then I could never see the files it opens.

ERP systems often create a second instance when the user exports data, usually even so that this instance does not load AddIns (and the PEROSNAL.XSLB). If I now open another file (as usual from the Windows Explorer), then this would be opened in the 2nd Instance. And that's a problem, because I can not run any macro, analyses from AddIns, etc.

It depends on how users use Excel and other applications. A normal user will never set this option by himself, even not by accident. But applications he uses do so. And when it comes to a crash, then the question is once again asked "Why does my Excel no longer open my file."

That's the vicious circle...

From my side: Why limit the user? Why not educate him? Give him space to develop his own creativity.

Andreas.

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  1. Vijay A. Verma 104.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2018-02-20T16:59:56+00:00

    This should remain unchecked. When an Excel file is double clicked either in File Explorer or in other programs, it doesn't ignore the request and opens it.

    If this is checked, then it will ignore the request and will not open it. It may throw exception message also.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-02-22T13:19:17+00:00

    What would be a reason to have this box checked at all. I am curious as to everything I read about talks about issues that are fixed that were caused by the box checked but I cannot find anything on issues caused and fixed by checking the box. Why is this option even there if there is no reason to have it checked?

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  4. Andreas Killer 144.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2018-02-20T17:05:06+00:00

    An issue is that any created instance always uses DDE...

    Means if a user wants to create 2 or more instances and want to have only a special instance to react to a DDE command, he has a problem.

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