Hello, I have a problem with my Excel 2016 (16.0.10228.20051 32-bit): I have one Excel instance running. (N.B. - the " Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) " checkbox in Advanced Options is NOT checked.) What I need is - for all Excel files that I am about to open to open in my first and only Excel instanc e, always , and regardless of: how many files I open simultaneously, where the files are located (i.e. on local drive or on OneDrive so the system needs to download them before opening) and including when opening Excel files from other Office apps, i.e. Outlook attachments. The behavior that I've been seeing in Excel 2016 is, at best, inconsistent: When opening multiple additional files at once from disk (select multiple files/right-click/Open) - it opens the first n files in the first Excel instance, but then from n +1 file it starts opening them in a new instance. A variation of the above is when in my first and only Excel instance I have a workbook open in XLSTART folder. Then upon opening multiple files at once, when it reaches it's n +1 file and the new instance launches and tries to open the file in XLSTART folder again, but it is already open in the first instance, so the warning message saying " this file is already open " (or something like that) shows up and files n +2, n +3, n +4, etc. till the last one, will all try to open in a separate instance, each triggering the same warning message. I'd like to state at this point that this is not file specific, the file n +1 is usually a different file every time. Also, I am aware of the workaround (i.e. dragging files onto open Excel window) and I am using it - the above is to demonstrate the symptoms I've been experiencing. When generating Excel files by another application (call it AppX) - you might say that this is likely the AppX's issue - I have no means to verify this unfortunately, however, the randomness of the new instances launching in this case is similar to all other scenarios described here, so I doubt the cause is my AppX. Finally, when opening Excel files from Outlook email attachments - i.e. double-clicking an Excel attachment in Outlook's reading pane - it may open it in the first Excel instance, but may also decide to open it in a new one. From my testing, if the Excel's file previewer is disabled at that point (i.e. listed under Options/Add-Ins/Manage - Disabled Items) it will most likely open the attachment in a new instance. So that's my observations, hope it helps to shed some light on the issue. I know how to open files in a new instance if I want it. The problem is, it happens when I don't want it and in some cases, I don't seem to have any control over this. Thanks, J.

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.

Q - why do you want them all in the same process? A - multiple reasons, but here are my top four: to have full copy&paste functionality between workbooks - it's not possible to paste special (values, formulas, etc.) between workbooks open in different instances. to be able to utilize multiple existing macros we've built at work over the years which rely on workbooks being open in the same process, without having to write complex code to account for a possibility of multiple processes. to be able to use macros stored in a macro workbook that's not an add-in on all my open excel files (i.e. with file scattered between multiple instances, trying to open the macro workbook in the consecutive instance triggers a warning that the file is already open and does not similarly to point 2, to be able to easily create simple macros whenever I need to automate a repetitive task, i.e. the below simple example code that I could use in a single instance, will not work if Excel decides to open wb2 in a new process: Sub test() Set wb1 = Workbooks("test1.xlsx") Set wb2 = Workbooks("test2.xlsx") wb1.Sheets(1).Range("A1:H40").Value = wb2.Sheets(1).Range("A1:H40").Value End Sub Thanks for the suggestion re Excel 2010. I obviously would have done it long time ago if Excel 2016 wasn't forced company-wide. @Rohn007 - would you agree that these are good reasons for wanting the consistency of a single Excel instance? MS messed up the above functionalities by allowing Excel to open in a new instance whenever it feels like it. @Gloria - how is the investigation progressing?

Your latest reply, which I do not see here suggested an idea: MS has been flipping back and forth between MDI and SDI. Try a copy of Excel 2010. If I remember correctly it is MDI. Switching to SDI in 2013 was a cause for complaint. Granted, 2010 does not support all of the new features in 365/2019/2016, but it probably would be more comfortable for you work with that what ever other spreadsheet you are being forced to use.

Hi J, According to your description, opening files in different instances affects your copy paste in different files. I have tested from my side and when I do the copy paste in Excel files in different instances, the content can be pasted correctly. Where were these files saved/from/located? How can it affect the copy paste result for you? Best Regards, Gloria

Simply starting Excel in Safe Mode will disable all addins, like the 3 you mentioned. The point is, if you were to start Excel in Safe Mode and the problem went away, then you would know that one of them is probably the cause. So then you would do further investigation. But if starting in safe mode did not help, then there is no need to manually turn them off. Starting Windows in Safe mode is similar, but with Windows addins. I agree, with files that small, RAM is not likely to be an issue when just opening a few files. I agree, in this situation (small files), trying 64 bit is not likely to help. Just curious, why do you want them all in the same process? I can do simple copy / paste between 2 files open in 2 separate processes. Or are you doing something more "advanced" like using side-by-side view (which I found does need them both in the same process)? I'm guessing that opening a spreadsheet from Outlook may be the cause of separate processes. As a test, try attaching more than one spreadsheet to a single email and see if you can open them all in the same process. Then add more files to see if you run in to the same problem as before.

Excel 2016 - open all files in ONE instance

Anonymous

Hello,

I have a problem with my Excel 2016 (16.0.10228.20051 32-bit):

I have one Excel instance running. (N.B. - the "Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)" checkbox in Advanced Options is NOT checked.) What I need is - for all Excel files that I am about to open to open in my first and only Excel instanc e, always, and regardless of:

how many files I open simultaneously,
where the files are located (i.e. on local drive or on OneDrive so the system needs to download them before opening)

and including when opening Excel files from other Office apps, i.e. Outlook attachments.

The behavior that I've been seeing in Excel 2016 is, at best, inconsistent:

When opening multiple additional files at once from disk (select multiple files/right-click/Open) - it opens the first n files in the first Excel instance, but then from n+1 file it starts opening them in a new instance.
A variation of the above is when in my first and only Excel instance I have a workbook open in XLSTART folder. Then upon opening multiple files at once, when it reaches it's n+1 file and the new instance launches and tries to open the file in XLSTART folder again, but it is already open in the first instance, so the warning message saying "this file is already open" (or something like that) shows up and files n+2, n+3, n+4, etc. till the last one, will all try to open in a separate instance, each triggering the same warning message.

I'd like to state at this point that this is not file specific, the file n+1 is usually a different file every time.

Also, I am aware of the workaround (i.e. dragging files onto open Excel window) and I am using it - the above is to demonstrate the symptoms I've been experiencing.

When generating Excel files by another application (call it AppX) - you might say that this is likely the AppX's issue - I have no means to verify this unfortunately, however, the randomness of the new instances launching in this case is similar to all other scenarios described here, so I doubt the cause is my AppX.
Finally, when opening Excel files from Outlook email attachments - i.e. double-clicking an Excel attachment in Outlook's reading pane - it may open it in the first Excel instance, but may also decide to open it in a new one. From my testing, if the Excel's file previewer is disabled at that point (i.e. listed under Options/Add-Ins/Manage - Disabled Items) it will most likely open the attachment in a new instance.

So that's my observations, hope it helps to shed some light on the issue. I know how to open files in a new instance if I want it. The problem is, it happens when I don't want it and in some cases, I don't seem to have any control over this.

Thanks,

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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47 answers

Anonymous

2019-01-07T18:04:06+00:00

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.
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Anonymous

2019-01-07T15:00:25+00:00
Q - why do you want them all in the same process?

A - multiple reasons, but here are my top four:
1. to have full copy&paste functionality between workbooks - it's not possible to paste special (values, formulas, etc.) between workbooks open in different instances.
2. to be able to utilize multiple existing macros we've built at work over the years which rely on workbooks being open in the same process, without having to write complex code to account for a possibility of multiple processes.
3. to be able to use macros stored in a macro workbook that's not an add-in on all my open excel files (i.e. with file scattered between multiple instances, trying to open the macro workbook in the consecutive instance triggers a warning that the file is already open and does not
4. similarly to point 2, to be able to easily create simple macros whenever I need to automate a repetitive task, i.e. the below simple example code that I could use in a single instance, will not work if Excel decides to open wb2 in a new process:
Sub test()

Set wb1 = Workbooks("test1.xlsx")

Set wb2 = Workbooks("test2.xlsx")

wb1.Sheets(1).Range("A1:H40").Value = wb2.Sheets(1).Range("A1:H40").Value

End Sub

Thanks for the suggestion re Excel 2010. I obviously would have done it long time ago if Excel 2016 wasn't forced company-wide.

@Rohn007 - would you agree that these are good reasons for wanting the consistency of a single Excel instance? MS messed up the above functionalities by allowing Excel to open in a new instance whenever it feels like it.

@Gloria - how is the investigation progressing?
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Anonymous

2018-12-20T22:12:17+00:00

Your latest reply, which I do not see here suggested an idea:

MS has been flipping back and forth between MDI and SDI. Try a copy of Excel 2010. If I remember correctly it is MDI. Switching to SDI in 2013 was a cause for complaint. Granted, 2010 does not support all of the new features in 365/2019/2016, but it probably would be more comfortable for you work with that what ever other spreadsheet you are being forced to use.
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Anonymous

2018-12-19T21:30:34+00:00

Hi J,

According to your description, opening files in different instances affects your copy paste in different files.

I have tested from my side and when I do the copy paste in Excel files in different instances, the content can be pasted correctly.

Where were these files saved/from/located? How can it affect the copy paste result for you?

Best Regards,

Gloria
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Anonymous

2018-12-19T00:56:48+00:00

Simply starting Excel in Safe Mode will disable all addins, like the 3 you mentioned. The point is, if you were to start Excel in Safe Mode and the problem went away, then you would know that one of them is probably the cause. So then you would do further investigation. But if starting in safe mode did not help, then there is no need to manually turn them off.

Starting Windows in Safe mode is similar, but with Windows addins.

I agree, with files that small, RAM is not likely to be an issue when just opening a few files.

I agree, in this situation (small files), trying 64 bit is not likely to help.

Just curious, why do you want them all in the same process? I can do simple copy / paste between 2 files open in 2 separate processes. Or are you doing something more "advanced" like using side-by-side view (which I found does need them both in the same process)?

I'm guessing that opening a spreadsheet from Outlook may be the cause of separate processes. As a test, try attaching more than one spreadsheet to a single email and see if you can open them all in the same process. Then add more files to see if you run in to the same problem as before.
Was this answer helpful?

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