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
    2018-04-03T23:57:21+00:00

    Pat, I just wanted to say "thanks" for posting this simple set of steps to fix the .xls default program association to Excel 2016.  It was very frustrating and I'm glad I found your post.  Worked for me!

    Carol

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-04-20T12:31:46+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

    It does not work. no matter how we address this we cannot access xls files by clicking on them. We must first open Excel and then use excel to open the file. you cannot click on the file directly until you have saved it in the new format

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-04-30T21:30:50+00:00

    So what am i supposed to do when the default list cannot find an app to open an .xls file.  If wants me to go in the Windows Store and find an app.  Excel is the first app to pop up, but won't allow me to assign the app.  I have Excel 2016 from Office 365.  It used to work and not really sure when this became unavailable. 

    As a note, I find myself wasting more time trying to figure out what glitch is causing problems in a Microsoft program than I am actually doing mundane and routine work. Please don't respond with inane steps you found in a google search.  I am the IT guy and already did a google search, which is how I found this post.

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