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
    2017-08-18T16:57:20+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

    No it did not has Windows Excel 2016 does not come up as an option to select for the default app. and I have it selected as a default app the way you showed us but it still does not work.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-08-18T18:42:24+00:00

    I don't know why Microsoft keeps throwing out these "solutions" that don't work.  I had a miracle happen about 2 months ago and stumbled on a phone number and actually reached a MS technician who was able to go into my laptop and add the missing Excel 2016 option in the drop down list.  SO SORRY I did not keep the phone number; I found it online on the Microsoft website.  Anyway, that is the real problem, the Excel 2016 option is MISSING!!!!

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-08-22T21:54:51+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

    I tried your fix and it doesn't work. The only way it does is if I open Excel and click on the xls files. Clicking on them in file explorer does nothing. If I try to associate the xls files I am asked which APP I want to use to open the file. Excel is not provided as  the app I want to use

    Gene C

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