How to disable Excel Instance Merging as an regular user (not being a local machine administrator)?

Question

Hello,

I'm currently working with multiple excel files, and each are connected to different data sources, that are updated on a daily basis. Since Excel's default behavior is to merge instances, I cannot update them in parallel resulting a big waste of time.
I'm aware I can open multiple instances using "Excel /x", but this means I cannot just double click the files, and have to navigate each path and find them.
There was a registry value (DisabelMergeInstance), under HKCU, that was supposed to change this default behavior (https://learn.microsoft.com/pt-br/office/troubleshoot/excel/force-excel-to-open-new-instance) but it seems to not work anymore, since recent updates.
I've found a workaround in technet (https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/3836ecea-f0b7-4eba-8cab-061440e3f32a/excel-disablemergeinstance-issues), which modifies registry under HKEY_CLASSES ROOT hive, but that cannot be done without admin privileges (which is my case).
I want to know if is there another way to achieve this change in default behavior at user level, without using ALT key or hacking desktop shortcuts.
Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi @Gustavo Bueno de Moraes ,

Based on my research and testing, I need to say sorry first.
Currently, using the Alt key to open workbooks in new instances seems a good way for you.

The registry value of DisabelMergeInstance on my test environment does not work on opening workboos, just work for opening Excel app.

The value data "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE" "%1"/x works correctly, but if we need to write to any registry keys besides HKEY_CURRENT_USER, we must have local administrator rights. There is no way around this.

And then there is no other new and effective solution to meet your needs. So I suggest you use Alt key to help you.

Thanks for your understanding.

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