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
    2019-02-13T00:47:25+00:00

    Welcome to the club of people frustrated with Microsoft products & their total lack of support.  Is there no one from Microsoft who reads this or can help?

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-02-12T12:04:54+00:00

    The above solution did not work  I never was able to find the excel list to change the default.  Also my publisher files will not open with publisher or save in the correct format.  What has happened?  I am so frustrated. Help

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-02-05T01:06:37+00:00

    I am having a similar issue where I am on Windows 10 & have had Excel 2016 all along, but recently had Excel 2010 installed to run an older add-in which only works on 2010.  Now when I click on any Excel files (all types) it defaults to Excel 2010.  I have attempted the above, but "Default Programs" doesn't come up, only "Default Apps", but that doesn't seem to work.   It shows I am defaulting to Excel for those file types, but doesn't let me choose 2016 or 2010.  I have even made the attempt via specific file types, but again it already shows Excel, but won't let me choose 2016 or 2010.

    Thanks for the help.

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