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
    2017-09-01T11:24:22+00:00

    I don't understand this jargon... how do I open an xls file I have excel 2016 installed but it does not recognise it ....???

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-09-06T19:00:37+00:00

    This seems like it should work ok, but when you go to select Excel 2016 as the default it cannot be found.  If you search for it in the app store it also doesn't appear, but other apps that only open XLS files do (although I didn't use them).  I wonder if this is because I use Office 365???

    The only way I have been able to work around this is open Excel 2016, then do an open for the XLS file by browsing for it.  It opens, then I save it as an Excel workbook.  Seems silly that I can't just double click it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-09-13T19:00:26+00:00

    Hi Patrick,

    I am having the same problem as the above.  First, in my default app list it shows .xls files with Adobe as the default app.  When I select it, it will not give me Excel as an option to change it to.

    Also, your above instructions suggest a default program, however the only option I am given is to change default app.

    Help!

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