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How do I configure Excel to open a new instance of Excel each time I open an existing spreadsheet. I am sure I have done this once but I think network settings have removed this functionality. I am using Office 2010 on Vista.
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To resolve this, go to 'excel options' > click on the 'advanced' tab > scroll down to general > check the ignore other applications that use 'Dyanamic Data Exchange (DDE)'
excel 2007
This is a reply by Brian Tilman to a similar problem with 2007. I anticipate it will work with 2010 as well:
Open Windows Explorer and click Tools>Folder Options>File Types. Locate the XLSX file type and select it. Click Advanced. In the Actions pane, select Open and click Edit. Record what you see in the "Application used to perform action" and "DDE Message" fields because you'll need it if you ever want to restore the current behavior.
Remove the "/dde" from the end of the string in the "Application used..." field and insert "%1", being sure to include the quotes as well. Uncheck the "Use DDE" box. Click OK. Uncheck "Browse in same window" if you want Internet Explorer to open a spreadsheet in an Excel window instead of a browser window. Click OK, then OK. Double-clicking a worksheet should now create a separate Excel window.
Brian Tillman [MVP-Outlook]
I tried this, and when I try to open an excel file, I get an error message "there was a problem sending the command to the program." I have to go back and uncheck the option in order to open the spreadsheet.
To resolve this, go to 'excel options' > click on the 'advanced' tab > scroll down to general > check the ignore other applications that use 'Dyanamic Data Exchange (DDE)'
excel 2007
This worked great for Excel 2010 also, thanks!
This option works as long as you do not use spreadsheets that are linked to external data sources such as AS400. This may break those linked spreadsheets. I have been looking for a solution that does not break existing DDE links and at the same time opens each spreadsheet in a new instance of Excel so that I can copy and paste between them. This is necessary since I work with two or more monitors most of the time. I do not open Excel first and then the spreadsheet. I need this to open a new instance when selecting a filename from a folder. And yes, if I had a blank worksheet open, I would still expect a new instance for a selected file. There are times when I am working from 6 or more spreadsheets at the same time, and I want them all in separate instances.
If anyone knows of a fix or if Microsoft is listening, Please help. I am using 2010 Pro on W7 64bit.
Thank you in advance.
I have Office 2010 and have been having this problem just for the last few days. When I try to follow your instructions, and go to Windows Explorer, there is no Tools. I did find a "folder options" window, but it doesn't show any file types. I have Windows 7. Can you help me?