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
    2016-09-26T19:20:13+00:00

    Repairs, both quick and complete, have already been suggested. The reason this thread persists (for over a year now) is because repair doesn't work for everyone and Microsoft seems to not care about that. I guess they will want to sell an upgrade that fixes the problem that never should have existed in the first place.

    If so, I'm out of here. I'll never use Office again.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-09-26T19:35:40+00:00

    I am so sorry for this ongoing issue. The Excel team is aware that the fix we released does not work for everyone, and we are continuing to investigate and work on the issue. We will let you know when we have anything concrete about a fix.

    Again, my apologies that this has been going on so long.

    Freya

    Office Newsroom

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-09-29T19:40:52+00:00

    Was there another 'fix' that went out recently?  I have a number of users that can no longer associate files to excel O365.  Attempting to select the program C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\excel.exe comes up as listing it as an adobe file.   This all worked a day or two ago.  The previously discussed 'fixes' and 'workarounds' do not change anything.

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