Need to open .xls files with Excel 2016/Win10, default is now Adobe

Anonymous
2015-10-06T15:57:22+00:00
Please check out Office<br> documents don't open in the correct application <br>for the latest information on this topic.

Just installed Win10 and upgraded to Excel 2016. Find I can't open .xls files as default app to open them is now ...Adobe. Excel is not an available option in setting default apps to open .xls files. I got sent to the Store and the app I selected can be set as the default, but when I saved file as .xlsx, Excel balks about opening it. Somehow this doesn't make sense that Excel is not the default for .xls files. Any help here?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2015-10-06T20:05:58+00:00

Hi Darrell - Windows 10 puts you in control of which of your apps act as the default for file types, so we don't automatically take over the association (I guess you could imagine how much we'd upset a confirmed OpenOffice user if we did :-))

Easiest way to fix this:

Press the Windows key/select the Windows Icon in the start bar

Type "Default" - and search should then suggest: "Default Programs", select it

Wait for the applet to start and then select the "Set your default programs" choice

Find Excel 2016 in the list, select it, and then select "->Set this program as default"

Then sit back and enjoy Excel opening your workbook files!

Apologies for the somewhat long set of instructions, I feel we should award some kind of "dedication above and beyond the expected calls of duty" :-)

Hope this helps...pc

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Anonymous
2017-04-11T20:45:08+00:00

Hello! We've created a "Fix It" tool that may further assist if you're continuing to experiencing problems with file associations. You can learn more and access the tool here: Double-clicking an Office file fails to open it

Freya

Office Newsroom

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-01-04T21:55:42+00:00

    This issue has been open since 2015.

    if Microsoft REALLY cared it would have been solved in 2015.

    I can only conclude that they dont give a damn.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-10T01:34:38+00:00

    This worked for me in Windows 10:

    1. Right Click on the file with the .xls extension.

     2. Go to -->Open with from the drop down menu.

     3. Next click on -->Choose another app from the 2nd drop down menu

     4. A dialogue box will open with "How do you want to open this file?" at the top

     5. Click on -->More apps in blue with a down arrow next to the words.

     6. Scroll down to the bottom of the list of apps it gives you

     7. Click on -->Look for another app on this PC

     8. Find the executable file EXCEL.EXE (See info below on where you will most likely find this)

    C: Program Files (x86) > Microsoft Office > root > Office 16 > EXCEL.EXE

    Click to open the EXCEL.EXE file and your .xls file should open right up. This will also associate Excel 2016 with all .xls files on your computer or any new ones you come accross in the future. You can confirm this file association in the Default app settings in your Windows Settings.

    I hope this helps!!

    KathR

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-06T11:35:23+00:00

    Thank you so much for the fix above.  You don't know how long I have tried and tried to fix this with different suggestions found online.  This did the trick!

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