Open multiple Excel files alphabetically

Question

I want to open multiple Excel (365 in Windows 11) files in alphabetical order (as they are in the folder) however, they keep opening in random order and it's driving me nuts.  In previous versions of Excel, the files would open in alphabetical order. 

I've tried individually selecting them but once past 3 or 4 files it starts messing them up. I used to just select 30 files, hit enter and they'd open in the correct order, now it's all higgeldy-piggeldy and extremely annoying.

It's bad enough that the program itself is slower than the older one, I've managed to adapt my input method to work around it, but I really am annoyed with this problem.

Answer 1

Hello @CJ

Welcome to Q&A forum!

I totally understand how inconvenient this is. When you’ve gotten used to Excel opening multiple files in alphabetical order, having that behavior disappear in newer versions of Excel/Windows can really throw off your workflow.

Unfortunately, Excel no longer guarantees that files will open in alphabetical order, so they may open in a random sequence instead.

*

I have created six Excel files named "A, B, C, D, E, and F". When I tested by selecting and opening all files in the same folder (File Testing) at once, I confirmed your concern: these files open in a random order, likely depending on the loading time of each file, rather than alphabetically as expected. 

.

To support you, I tested a workaround, and it worked on my end. I will guide you through the steps in detail, along with images, so you can practice on your side. 

*I understand this may seem complicated, but if you follow these steps, you will not only resolve this issue for future cases but also learn a new Excel skill: how to run a Macro. 

Guidance to Open Files Alphabetically Using a Macro 

1. Copy the folder address 

Copy the address of the folder that contains the files you want to open alphabetically. 

"File Explorer -> Navigate to the file that you want to open alphabetically" -> Right click on File location path and choose "Copy address"

2. Show the Developer tab 

(If you already have the “Developer” button on the Excel toolbar as shown below, you can skip this step.) 

Go to:  "File" -> "Options" -> "Customize Ribbon" -> Check “Developer” -> Click "OK "

After this, you will see the “Developer” tab next to the “File” and “Home” buttons. 

3. Open the VBA Editor and Insert a New Module 

(Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor) 

Steps:  "Developer" -> "Visual Basic" (or press Alt + F11) → "Insert" → "Module" → "Copy and paste" the Macro code"  below (Replace the “Folder path” in the code with the address you copied earlier) →
"Close" the editor. 

Sub OpenFilesAlphabetically()

Dim folderPath As String

Dim fileName As String

' ?? Folder that contains your Excel files

folderPath = "C:\Users\___\Downloads\File testing\"

' Get the first .xlsx file in alphabetical order

fileName = Dir(folderPath & "*.xlsx")

Do While fileName <> ""

Workbooks.Open folderPath & fileName

fileName = Dir() ' Get the next file

Loop

End Sub

4. Run the Macro 

Steps:  Open a blank Excel file → Click “Developer” → “Macro” (or press Alt + F8) → Select "OpenFileAlphabetically" → Click Run. 

 After that you can see these files open alphabetically as the below image from A to F

 

You can reopen the VBA editor anytime to replace the “Folder path” if you want to apply this for another folder. 

*For your reference:

Show the Developer tab - Microsoft Support

Getting started with VBA in Office | Microsoft Learn

Run a macro in Excel - Microsoft Support

Wishing you a peaceful and joyful end of the year with your family and loved ones. 

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