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
    2017-01-05T22:26:24+00:00

    Well I'm currently running the latest Excel and still have the problem. Ironically I didn't this issue till about  a month ago. Though in reading some other reply's I did load Visio so maybe that caused it but I can't confirm that.  Is there any further assistance or information on correcting this problem.

    Thank you.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-01-12T22:21:57+00:00

    This 2017 AND YOUR 2015 "FIX" doesn't work! About what you can expect from MS!

    You can't choose Excel 2016 because it isn't an option.

    I paid good money for O365 and got a program that won't open older files - the other options on the web involve going into the registry. LOL

    BUT AT LEAST I CAN GET OPENOFFICE TO OPEN THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    THE ONLY OTHER OPTION IS OPENING EACH FILE INDIVIDUALLY AND SAVING IT IN XLSX

    WHAT A CROCK!

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-01-15T15:48:58+00:00

    So where is this this fix you refer to.  I have the latest updates installed and i still have only the choice of Adobe or the app store

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