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
    2016-11-22T22:22:05+00:00

    A very good detailed description of what you SHOULD be able to do to rectify the problem. Only problem is is that Excel is not given as a choice to "set your default program". It just simply does not appear anywhere even though it is clearly installed to our computers. 

    Any other bright ideas to fix this "issue" would be greatly appreciated 

    Annette

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-11-22T22:58:30+00:00

    Thank you so much for your response - after following your directions at least Excel 2016 is now showing up as a program finally which until now it didn't, despite being installed. AND miracle of miracles it actually works now - so thank you thank you thank you - you are a miracle worker and Microsoft should be hiring you because you know more about fixing the problem than their own staff do <3

    Annette

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-11-23T01:58:45+00:00

    That's Great!

    Except when you then try to open your workbook, it churns for a very long time, and then helpfully says "Something went wrong. We couldn't start your program. Please try starting it again.

    "If it won't start, try repairing Office . . . "

    And then, after both a quick repair and a complete repair, it does the same damn thing.

    For a year.

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