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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.
A family of Microsoft spreadsheet software with tools for analyzing, charting, and communicating data.
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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]
This doesn't help a lot as it doesn't force Outlook or MYOB etc to open spreadsheets in a new instance which is the key problem. A spreadhseet is in your email that you want to use against a spreadsheet you have open already. It takes over the instance you are currently using forcing you to close the one you are in, open a second instance of excel and reopen the spreadsheet you had open in the first place. This happens 10+ times a day for me and is friggin' annoying.
It also works for Excel 2010
When I do this, it works, but I can no longer open excel files that are attachments in Outlook.