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
    2016-06-07T18:10:03+00:00

    Hello! Thank you all so much for your patience while we worked on this issue. The Excel team has released a fix for this problem:

    When you try to open an .XLS or .XLSX file in Excel 2016, it does not recognize it as an Excel file and open it. Excel may not appear in the list of applications to choose from. This is caused by uninstalling Office and it removes the file associations.

    This released fix should solve any issues that could also be fixed by the Quick Repair. If your issue is not solved by downloading the latest release of Excel, or by doing a Quick Repair, we are still working on other solutions.

    Freya

    Office Newsroom

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-06-05T05:15:12+00:00

    I am a home user Office 365 Home Premium from day 1. After auto upgrade to the latest version, it is not listed in the Programs and Features place. It did not bother me till date as I am using the same. When I started using Excel the problem came as mentioned here by many other grieving customers. I open the file by opening a blank Excel sheet. Can anyone please tell me what should I do so that the program is visible in "Programs and Features" .There after it may be possible for me  to repair.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-06-03T16:46:57+00:00

    Freya

    I'm having this problem too.

    I followed your fix instructions last week and got stuck in a loop which involved reinstallation of office software which then got me into an issue with certification/ownership.

    My laptop came pre-loaded with Office Home and Student and, as it didn't include Outlook (which I need for business) I ended up purchasing separately from Microsoft.  That was fine BUT my Microsoft account only recognises my purchase of Outlook and NOT the Office software meaning I encountered all sorts of problems when forced down the reinstallation route (even though I was using the correct installation code - which I have in my hot sweaty little hand from when I bought both the laptop, and the software....). 

    In the end, to avoid going mad I ended up restoring my computer to an earlier date which in itself caused a few heart stopping moments.

    I'm finding that I can only safely get to Excel spreadsheets if I browse through the Excel programme (which is clearly on my laptop somewhere - even if it doesn't show up as an 'app'...!)  Its when I try to browse to the same thing straight through file explorer that I get asked to associate an app with it in settings which of course, can't be found.

    Do you have any updates on when the fix might be released.  I'm concerned that when it is released I'll end up with similar certification issues IF the fix requires reinstallation.

    Many thanks

    Joey

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