excel 2016 template double opens

Question

Hello,

Whenever I double click on an excel template file (.xltx) it opens two regular copies "Filename"1 and "Filename"2. If I highlight an excel template file and press enter the same thing happens.

If I right-click the file and select open from the drop down list it opens the editable template file itself, not a copy, and it only opens the file one time.

Other non-template excel files are only opened once no matter how I open them.

This problem does not happen if I open the same files from other network computers.

I repaired office and that did not work. I reinstalled office and that did not work. I am close to reformatting just to get rid of this annoyance.

Any other ideas before I go that far?

Answer 1

Hi All,

We have seen that several users reported issues. I’d like to say that the issue has been fixed on Monthly Channel (Targeted) and I’ve summarized the issue as follows. Now we’ll close the issue and if the issue persists, please post there for further help.

I would like to summarize the symptom here:

Description

When we open Excel templates ( .xltx) by double clicking them, templates will be opened twice in Excel 2016.

Environment

Microsoft Office 365 Business & ProPlus

Excel 2016: Version 1708 (Build 8431.2079 Click-to-Run)

Monthly Channel

More information

The issue is fixed on Monthly Channel (Targeted): Version 1709 (Build 8528.2084). You can wait for the new release to be updated if you are in other channels. You can also switch to Monthly Channel to fix it immediately. If you are not the admin, please contact your admin to achieve it.

Workaround

Go to File> Option> Advanced, check the Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) under General.

Regards,

Cliff

Answer 2

I have this *EXACT* same issue.  Excel's just recently started doing this so I'm thinking it must be something to do with a recent update.  Hopefully "Cliff" will have an opportunity to review your video (which I watched, and everything's exactly the same on my system: double-click on .xltx opens two instances of a copy of the template; double-click on .xlsx opens just one instance of the file.  VERY annoying.

Answer 3

xxx

File>Account Screen shot.

I Uploaded a video as well.

xxx

Thanks for the response.

Answer 4

Hi Rcrawfordeagle,

Please let us know your updates at your convenience if you need further help.

Thanks,

Cliff

Answer 5

Hi Rcrawfordeagle,

To clarify the issue, I’d like you to confirm and provide the following.

1. Upload a video showing the symptoms of the issue you are experiencing in the shared folder mentioned in https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/privatemessage/inbox.
2. From your description, it seems that the issue only happens when double-clicking the template file and on your computer. If yes, check if other template files have the issue.
3. Where are the template files saved?
4. Upload a full screenshot of the page showing the version information of the Excel 2016 application you are using. You can access the page via File>Account.

Thanks,

Cliff