Yes, it's not the fact that it's hidden that's at issue. I realize a workaround is to make an auto-run macro in the auto-load speadsheet so that it opens maximized everytime regardless of whether you try to start it normal or maximized.
IN fact, it's only when the file is hidden that Excel won't load maximized. If it's saved unhidden, then excel will load maxmized (or however icon prperties are set) -- then, if you hide the perosnal spreadsheet and clsoe Excel, thereafter it won't load
maximized.
Another workaround it to manualyl maximize the window after Excell 2010 loads. IT was much better when you could control this by the property setting in the icon used to sart the program. IN this re Excel 2010 doesn't hold to the standards very well.
It sure was easier to get this simple thing the way you wanted it in priior verisons. I'm still hoping SP1 corrects this deficit in the design.
sh