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?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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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
    2017-02-03T16:41:30+00:00

    Welcome to ****, man.

    This bug is well over a year old and Microsoft doesn't seem to give a crap about it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-02-08T09:53:55+00:00

    I have tried most of these solutions but none of them seem to work. When I try and associate the xls and other Excel files, Excel 2016 does not appear in any of the option boxes, I have Excel or search for an app in the store. I already have some Excel 2016 files that work well. If I load Excel 2016 and open older Excel files they work fine but never save as the later version which is what I want, it is a pain to keep reloading the programme then searching for file then opening them

    Windows 10, Excel 2016

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-02-20T00:29:22+00:00

    I am an unlucky person as I cannot Excel assigned as the default xls program.  I am using Office 365.  I open: Settings>Default Apps>Choose default apps by file type then select xls.  Excel is not an option.  I can "Look for an App in the store" and that is it.  I cannot figure this out and really need it to work for me.

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