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
    2017-08-25T21:32:53+00:00

    First, let's all give Microsoft a big round of applause for all of their help... oh wait...

    At any rate, I managed to piece together a solution that worked for me... Windows 10 on a surface pro, with office 16. Maybe it will work for someone else.

    1. Find your Excel.exe file
      • In Windows Explorer, click on "View" in the Menu bar and check the box to show hidden files
      • Dig around in the program files until you find it. Like E0136, mine was located in: "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16".  (Thanks! E0136!)
      • Copy the file path
    2. Navigate to a .xls file in Windows Explorer (probably the one that started this whole headache for you!) but don't double click
    3. Right click on the file and select "Open With". Excel won't be a choice, but unlike when you are working from the default settings feature, THIS dialog gives your more options than the stupid app store. It has "More Apps" as a choice. Click on that.
    4. At the bottom of the list of suggested apps is "Look for another app on this PC". Click that.
    5. Paste the location of your Excel.exe file into the navigation, and select the excel.exe file.
    6. Your spreadsheet will open. You might get some annoying message about the right way to set the default program. Ignore it.

    This worked for the original file I tried, and then I didn't have to do it anymore... the other .xls files I had now opens in Excel with a double-click. Also, when I go back to the place where the original MS answer told us to go, Excel is now showing as the default for .xls files.

    Good luck - I hope this works for you!

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-08-26T16:22:36+00:00

    I have Windows 10..  Upgraded to Office 2016, could not get Excel to open past files.  I went to "repair", not an option, so I uninstalled Office 2016 and reinstalled it.  Problem solved.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-08-28T13:05:43+00:00

    No it doesn't. How can you idiots make a Windows Surface Book I7 top of the range with memory bristling with Windows software not associate with a bog standard Windows program. $4000 for a piece of crap, Exactly what everyone else here is saying, you try to associate it and you have a choice of Word or go to the app store.

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