Excel 2013 starts up with blank screen when opened from explorer

Anonymous
2013-02-27T17:34:15+00:00

When I double click any Excel file in windows explorer, Excel starts up maximized and I can see the ribbon but the whole grid area where my data should be is blank, no gridlines or row/column headers.   If I "restore down" the Excel window then everything appears as normal.

I sometimes get subsequent Excel crashes.

I also get an Excel crash by clicking on an Excel file in windows explorer, as if to preview it.  The Excel file preview function is not working since I installed Office 2013 Professional.

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

90 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-09-02T23:25:25+00:00

    I have figured out that if you have the sidebar preview open in window's explorer, viewing files on a HD, and select an excel file to preview it before opening, that is when the "blank excel program" opens.  I close the sidebar preview function in windows and select the same excel file and the blank program doesn't open.

    Same for everyone else?

    Thanks, this solution has been offered before, but does not relate to my problem. I never have the preview window open.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-09-02T23:24:53+00:00

    What good is a PM to doonser if the rest of us cannot read it?

    This issue as far as we can tell is as yet unresolved - I know for those in my company it most certainly is not.

    The private message offered a callback, but I really don't have time to fiddle with that. Please provide a solution to a common problem, MS!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-09-02T17:11:01+00:00

    I have figured out that if you have the sidebar preview open in window's explorer, viewing files on a HD, and select an excel file to preview it before opening, that is when the "blank excel program" opens.  I close the sidebar preview function in windows and select the same excel file and the blank program doesn't open.

    Same for everyone else?

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-09-02T15:06:29+00:00

    What good is a PM to doonser if the rest of us cannot read it?

    This issue as far as we can tell is as yet unresolved - I know for those in my company it most certainly is not.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2014-08-25T18:22:04+00:00

    I see you had the same issue I had and tried many different things.  I finally "repaired" my installation and that worked for me.  I hope that can help you too.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments