Excel 2013

Question

Can someone tell me why when I double click on an Excel file it is not automatically loaded into Excel 2013? You are forced to open  Excel 2013 locate the file and open whilst Excel is open, really frustrating. using Office Excel 2010 used to be a joy 2013 is a real pain.

Have set default programmes to open spread sheets and csv files with Excel 2013 with Excel but with no joy, does anybody know how to fix this frustration?

Peter

Answer 1

The problem is not in Excel, it is in Windows.  Windows File Associations setup in the registry control which program opens when you double click on a file in Explorer.

Here are several methods for resetting file associations, the simplest being doing an Office Repair or using the unregserver/regserver commands. Unfortunately I don't have any documented processes for Office 365 in Win 8 but most of the older processes should still work.

How to Change File Associations in Win7 and Win8

http://www.7tutorials.com/how-associate-file-type-or-protocol-program

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Re Register  re-register – regserver batch file

Make sure the path is correct for your installation. I have put these files into a BAT file on my desktop so I can run it as needed.

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 2010\Office14\winword.exe" /unregserver

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 2010\Office14\winword.exe" /regserver

Pause

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 2010\Office14\excel.exe" /unregserver

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 2010\Office14\excel.exe" /regserver

Pause

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Quick Determine Office applications path

·         open Excel

·         open the Visual Basic Editor (aka VBE)

·         open the Immediate window, Ctrl-g (also in the View menu)

·         type or paste the following in the Immediate window

?application.path

·         With the cursor at the end of the line, ie after "path", hit Enter

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Set Click to Run (CTR) to be Default File Association

·         Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the file.

·         Right click the file (i.e. doc) and select Properties.

·         Now click on the general tab and select open with change.

·         Change ''Microsoft Office 2010 Component'' to "Microsoft Office Client Virtualization Handler".

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If that doesn't work, try:

This page has instructions, with pictures, on how to use builtin windows tools to fix file associations:

http://www.worldstart.com/how-to-set-defaults-successfully/print/

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If that doesn't work, try:

There is a freeware tool called  Default Programs Editor. It brings many of the default settings into one place: http://defaultprogramseditor.com/

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Need to associate the file type with program:

In Win7:

1. Right-click the file,
2. Select "Open With"   select [Your Program Here]
3. Check always use this program.

In Windows XP:

1. Locate the file as you have described above
2. Right click the file
3. Select Open with from the pop-up menu
4. Click Choose default program…
5. Select Excel in the Recommended Programs box
6. Check Always use the selected program to open this kind of file
7. Click on OK.

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Alternate method of associating file type with program:

·         Click Start

·         type cmd in the run dialog box then press ok.

·         On the command prompt line type "control panel" without the quotation marks.

·         In control panel > folder options > file types > new (button) in the new window click advanced.

·         In the file extension dialog box type the file extension to fix, ie: exe.

·         In the drop down menu locate and select application > click ok.

Sometimes one of these works when you're having trouble with double clicking on the file in windows explorer:

(xl2003 menus) - Tools|Options|General|Uncheck "Ignore other applications"

(xl2007) Office Button|Excel Options|Advanced|General|Uncheck "Ignore other applications that use DDE"

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If that doesn't work, try:

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Office 2010 in Win 7 – Remove Win7 “Compatibility” mode

A solution is:

·         Start

·         all programs

·         Microsoft office (this gives the list of office applications)

·         Right click on excel

·         select 'properties'

·         select the compatibility tab

·         uncheck the ' Run this program in compatibility for:' 'windows XP service pack 3'

My excel files now open fine.

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If that doesn't work, try:

Change File Associations in Vista / Win 7

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Change-which-programs-Windows-uses-by-default

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If that doesn't work, try:

Discover hidden features in the Win7 Default Programs tool

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/discover-hidden-features-in-the-windows-7-default-programs-tool/5717

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Fix File Association Error When Launching Windows Explorer in Win7

http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/fix-file-association-error-explorer-in-windows-7/

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If that doesn't work, try: