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
    2017-04-03T10:16:46+00:00

    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?

    Has this problem been sorted out as yet as I am also having this difficulty at my office as well as my home (pvt) account? My Excel can not be selected as a default for xls files?

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-04-03T10:21:23+00:00

    Thank you for letting us know.

    In this case, we suggest that you uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Office program in your computer. Here's the linkwhere you can see the steps on how to install or reinstall Office.

    On the other hand, here is the link on how to uninstall Office. The article will provide you different options on how to uninstall a program.

    Let us know how it goes.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-04-05T21:42:08+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

    Excel 2016  is not an option in settings. I am only able to select from Office XLM Handler or look for an app from The Store. I have found that if I have an open Excel file, I can select 'new' from file, and from this new file, select 'open' and choose the xls file that won't open any other way.

    Where can I find the 'repair' or see if it has already been updated in my Windows 10?

    Thanks,

    Dani

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