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
    2017-03-25T17:33:36+00:00

    I figured this out. I could not find Office 16 where one very helpful reply said it was. I also have Win10, Office16 and 64-bit. You do have to locate Excel.exe. I guess I have a 32 bit version of office installed on my 64 bit system, not sure, but I found Excel.exe here:

    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16

    Not as previously suggested: 

    "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16" (I run 64-bit Office)"

    The way I was able to find where excel.exe resides was to open it then go to task manager, then right click on excel in the processes list and select show in folder, as explained here:

    http://eforexcel.com/wp/tips-tricks-147-find-the-location-of-excel-exe/

    Hope this helps, worked a charm for me! Now every .xls I click on will open Excel.

    Thank you very much.

    I was trying to complete an XLS task after I could overcome it couple of hours ago by same steps ( searching for Excel.exe in the directory), 

    THe mysterious topic is what did MS do in order to have XLS file deselection EXCEL 16

    EXCEL 16 was not any more shown as one of Application programs you may use while trying to open the file via "Open with".

    Hope MS don't issue another update which reverse the action.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-03-25T17:58:04+00:00

    What is the released fix?  I bought Excel 2016 and am still having this problem and it is very, very frustrating and wastes considerable amounts of my time.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-03-25T19:28:38+00:00

    What is the released fix?  I bought Excel 2016 and am still having this problem and it is very, very frustrating and wastes considerable amounts of my time.

    Dear BradFish

    I don't think that there is a new fix.

    In case that the you mean the old Fix which was mentioned in Freya[MSFT]'s post dated June 7th , 2016 , I'm pretty sure that there is a recent bug which prevented me during the last week from opening the old files ( .xls) while the new versions ( .xlsx) were running fine.

    You may try the workaround mentioned above by franzdom.

    I did it as follows:

    • write click on the file 
    • select open with
    • choose another application
    • choose more application

    Ususally you may find the Office Word but you won't find the EXCEL program. To add it

    • choose "look for another application in this PC"

    Then follow the directory mentioned above where you may find the "EXCEL16.exe"

    In my case it was as follows

    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16

    Hope you succeed

    BR

    Ayman

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