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?

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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
    2018-10-16T14:47:55+00:00

    Doesn't work, you are sent to MS Store and no way to select Excell 2016.

    Used contextual (right click on any .xls file) menu instead and found Excel executable at: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE and linked to this extension

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-10-16T14:44:33+00:00

    This is how I fix it and the only method that worked for me:

    1 - right click on the .XLS file

    2 - Select "Open with...". If Excell is listed then select and that's all...

          Make sure the "Always use this app to open xls files" is checked

    3 - If Excell is not listed (not by default) then click "More apps.."

         and at the bottom of the list "Look for another app on this PC"

    4 - Find: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\EXCELL.EXE and select it

    (If can't find it just do a search for "EXCELL.EXE" to find where is located, this depends on the version)

    voilá! fait accompli!

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-07-23T01:41:54+00:00

    I am glad this works for some people; sure does notwork  for me.  I have Excel 2010 and Excel 2016.  I am running Windows 8.  I can't make Excel 2016 my default version no matter what I do.  I wish there was a simple solution in plain English for people who are not great with computers that would fix this.  Very frustrating.....

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