Can't open XLS files by double clicking.. arrrgh

Aiadi

Since installing my old MS office 2003 and the trying the new 2007 version on Vista, I am unable to open XLS files directly into Excel by double clicking.

It gives me the "open with" options but Excel is not there. When I browse to it on the program files and choosing it, it still wouldn't show on the applications list. The only way I can open them is by actually starting excel first and opening the file from there.

Running on the administrator account but can't solve this issue and starting to think that I am going mad.:mad: :mad: :mad:

Any one suffered with a similar problem with Vista and office and could help? Tried google but couldn't find an answer. Thanks in advance for any help.

thomas01155

What do you expect its Microsoft

Forris

Not sure about Vista but it is fairly simple in XP. I assume Vista with have a similar method. What has happened is that the File Type Association has gone missing. To reinstate it (in XP):

In Explorer - Folder Options - File Types

Select file type - Change

Select Excel from the list

OK

Hope this works!

CHR15

Which way are you opening??

If the spreadsheet was created with Office 2007 it may have a four letter extension (*.xlsx). An older version of Office will not recognise the extra x at the end.

Is this the situation?

Aiadi

The file is an XLS file that was created on Office 2003 and opens fine when double clicking with both Office 2003 & 2007 installed on my PC running XP.
With Vista it does not appear to be associated with Excel and the problem is I can't seem to develop this association either by choosing the "open with" method or by changing the open with in the file property.
As I said when I choose Excel by browsing through the (program files) in the "open with" options, it just doesn't get added to the list of programs I can use to open the file.

Aiadi

Just by coincidence, trying to open a .TC file with truecrypt caused the same problem on vista.
I double click -> get the "open with" -> browse to TrueCrypt -> choosing it -> no TrueCrypt appearing on the program list.

I have on the other hand saved the Xls file as Xlsx and the icon has now appeared as Excel's and can open by double clicking. This is still far from ideal though. Still can't get Excel to appear on the list of programs I can open files with, which is exactly what I am trying to do.

CHR15

Which version of Vista are you using??

Not sure if this will be any different, may be just another way of skinning a cat but...

Start => Default Programs

=> Associate a File Type or protocol with a Program


Scoll down until you see xls and make sure it has Microsoft Office Excel as is default.

Chippy_Minton

Aiadi wrote: »

Still can't get Excel to appear on the list of programs I can open files with, which is exactly what I am trying to do.

I don't know if it works on Vista, but try OpenExpert.

Aiadi

Thanks Chris, was worth a try I guess but same problem of not being able to see bl***y Excel on the list of programs even after browsing to it and the choosing it. Chippy, thanks again OpenExpert does the job for xls files although I have to right click and choose Excel from the contextual menu but I guess one can live with this. Doesn't work with some extensions like .tc for True Crypt files though.

albertross_2

Try running a detect and repair, or failing that, re-register excel

http://www.cpearson.com/Excel/StartupErrors.htm

Aiadi

Thanks Albert, tried what you kindly suggested to no avail. Excel 2007 is working absolutely fine and it is just that I can not associate .xls with it no matter what I do. I did it easily with MS works Spreadsheet but Excel can not get added to the list of available programs to open the file with. I have given up.:o