Excel 2016 - open all files in ONE instance

I am having the same issue with Office 365 ProPlus 32-bit Excel (Version 1803 Build 9126.2236 Click-to-Run).  I often (but not always) want files opened in a single instance due to some of the reasons already described by other posters: ability to use Paste Special, linking between different files, copying large amounts of data, etc.  The unpredictability of the Open behavior can get frustrating.  Furthermore, since Microsoft removed the saved Workspace functionality (which would bypass the problem altogether), it is doubly annoying.  I do miss Excel 2010.

All that said: I am thinking that the issue may not lie entirely with Excel itself, but rather with File Explorer.  In older version of Windows, it was possible to see, in Explorer Options, the exact command line that each right-click option runs (e.g. Open, New, Print, etc) for individual file extensions and their context.  I am not seeing this option in Windows 10 (specifically Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise [Version 10.0.16299.904]).

However, in RegEdit, when I go to this registry entry:

Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.xlsx

the Default value indicates the file type (presumably) is "Excel.Sheet.12".  With this information in hand, I go to the following registry entry:

Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open

I see this Default entry (path will vary based on where Office is installed):

@C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Root\VFS\ProgramFilesCommonX86\Microsoft Shared\Office16\oregres.dll,-3

If I change this instead to (adjust path to wherever Office is installed):

@C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE

and click Open on multiple files (no instances of Excel running), initially in Task Manager it generates a separate instance of Excel for each file, but once the first instance opens, it "merges" (for lack of better word) all the selected files into a single instance.  I've tried this with up to 15 (small) workbooks.

Lamentably, there appears to be a shortfall with this workaround: if an instance of Excel is already running, and you Open the files as described above, they will open in a new instance - but at least it's a single new instance.

Obviously, if the files have different extensions, you would need to do this for each one (e.g. xlsb, xlsm, xls).  Also, I have not tested this extensively - only local files (not synced, not on Windows network), all opening in NOT protected mode and NOT read-only, not Outlook attachment, and not generated by any kind of external application such as an Export function in accounting software.  These situation may warrant further testing.

I realize this does not fully solve OP's issue, but hopefully it is a lead.

That key doesn't exist in the whole Registry. 

The real question is why are your internal systems totally unlike your clients?  Maybe MS should post teams at their clients' facilities instead of imagining your little bubble is like the rest of the world!

R.

Just chiming in to say that I am in favour of opening files in one instance for the same reasons listed by JK**** above.

I also have in addition to that:

Opening workbooks that are linked by formulas so that updates made in one workbook are immediately reflected in another that references the first workbook. Though it's possible to force these workbooks to open in the same instance (e.g. by using "edit links" to open workbooks referenced by the current workbook), it was much quicker in earlier versions (e.g. Excel 2010) to highlight several workbooks in one go in Windows Explorer and have them all open in the same instance.

Hi Gloria,

Personally, in all the scenarios listed in my initial posts, I would like the files to open in a single Excel instance. Always, no exception. In my 10 years of working with Excel, working on up to 10 spreadsheets simultaneously, writing VBA automation solutions, etc. I am yet to come across a scenario in which I'd want multiple instances. 

However, I understand my needs might be different to those of other users, therefore I believe an option to have single or multiple instances is required. By option, I of course mean a checkbox, toggle button, etc. in Excel's settings where users will be able to select their desired mode and not the current unpredictable behavior.

The topic of choice needed here has been covered in great detail and up-voted by hundreds of users in this Excel UserVoice post. The post is about SDI vs. MDI, but the issue of multiple vs. single instance is very much related and it comes up frequently in the 650+ comments - have a read through them, it's a good lecture, and maybe then you can motivate someone at MS to finally address the issue.

Thanks,

J.

Hi Gloria,

Like VijayMB, I am also wondering whether there has been any progress here?

I think I could not have been more thorough in explaining the issue I am facing, testing various scenarios for you, following your guidance precisely, providing screenshots, gifs, etc. so that the job of finding the cause of the problem and fixing it for you guys at Microsoft should be considerably easier. Having done all that, I believe it is not unreasonable of me to, almost half a year later, finally expect some progress on the matter.

Needless to say that during all this time I have been keeping my Office up to date religiously, there has been about 12 Office updates since June that I have installed, yet none of them fixed the issue. I am now on version 1812 11126.20074 and the issue still persists.

Gloria - I know Office is a complex application, but six months is more than enough time to investigate this - what are the findings? And more importantly, when will a fix be rolled out?

Kind regards,

J.