Cannot open files from Windows Explorer

Anonymous
2013-03-07T18:02:54+00:00

In order to open up files in excel 2013 (csv, xlsx, or xls) i must open them directly from within Excel. If I double click a file from Windows Explorer, Excel opens up but does not open the file. No errors. Just a **** excel instance. It looks like I just opened up the application from my start screen.

Other Office 2013 applications work as expected. I.e, I can open up a docx from Windows Explorer just fine.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

50 answers

Sort by: Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-08-01T03:48:15+00:00

    Quick Repair solved my problem.

    The real question is why there is a problem in the first place; that is, why is Microsoft installing defective software, and letting the user community solve the problem for them?

    I installed Office 365 on July 30, and had to "repair" it on July 31.

    With any other product, that would be unacceptable, but Microsoft seems quite comfortable with it.

    Incidentally, I contacted Office 365 Tech Support about this issue. Their idea of tech support was to give me a link to this page (which I had already seen...as well as dozens of other pages on other forums.)

    It's an interesting business model, isn't it? Release defective products and count on the buyers to provide solutions. I can see that it would be far cheaper than getting it right.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-15T13:26:55+00:00

    Simple solution - this did work for me - Options / Advanced / General / untick  "Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)"

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-29T23:38:29+00:00

    I run Windows 10.  In the 10525 rev, Excel 2013 starts and opens the excel file with a double click - as you would expect.

    HOWEVER, in the new and "better" 10532 revision of Win 10, double click ONLY opens the excel program.  I have to drag the file into it to open the file. 

    Windows 10 rev 10532 appears to me to be the villain.

    MICROSOFT - Please fix this.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-09-15T13:37:50+00:00

    This worked for me. What a rel;ief.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2015-09-15T14:00:15+00:00

    same issue office 365 -this worked for me

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments