Windows Explorer will not open XLS files

Hi

I am using W98. When i try to open Excel files from Windows Explorer, it
does not work. This is only a recent problem - it used to work just fine. I
can still find and open the files directly from Excel.

Can anyone suggest a cause and a solution?
Many thanks.
Rosemary

"Rosemary" wrote in message
...

I am using W98. When i try to open Excel files from Windows Explorer, it
does not work. This is only a recent problem - it used to work just fine.
I
can still find and open the files directly from Excel.

"File Association" may have been lost, viz. the
Registry item that connects all files of type XLS
with Excel.
1. The theory is explained in the help file.
2. To reset File Assoc:
-- select (highlight) one XLS icon
-- hold down shift key and right click on this icon
-- select "Open with . . ."
-- and select in the list Excel
-- and uncheck the box "always use this program . . "
-- and double click.
This should open the data file in Excel.
If it works OK repeat the process, and this
time check the box "always use this program . . "
which will write the selection into the Registry.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

Go to Settings, Folder Options, then File Types and check the definition for
the .XLS extension, hopefully, Microsoft Excel Worksheet. Verify the Open
command inside the Action list, checking for the correct path and file for
the program and that the spreadsheet is to be invoked as "%1"; quotation
marks are necessary to recognize files with long names

Usually:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\excel.exe"

If a DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) is used, the message should read:
[open("%1")]

Confirm each modification with OK or Apply at the bottom of each dialog box.

"Rosemary" wrote in message
...
Hi

I am using W98. When i try to open Excel files from Windows Explorer, it
does not work. This is only a recent problem - it used to work just fine.
I
can still find and open the files directly from Excel.

Can anyone suggest a cause and a solution?
Many thanks.
Rosemary

Dear Don and Juan

Many thanks, both, for your quick and helpful replies. I tried Don's
solution first and it worked perfectly. It also, coincidentally, fixed a
similar problem I had on a W95 machine with Word.

Thanks again.
Rosemary

"Don Phillipson" wrote:

"Rosemary" wrote in message
...

I am using W98. When i try to open Excel files from Windows Explorer, it
does not work. This is only a recent problem - it used to work just fine.
I
can still find and open the files directly from Excel.

"File Association" may have been lost, viz. the
Registry item that connects all files of type XLS
with Excel.
1. The theory is explained in the help file.
2. To reset File Assoc:
-- select (highlight) one XLS icon
-- hold down shift key and right click on this icon
-- select "Open with . . ."
-- and select in the list Excel
-- and uncheck the box "always use this program . . "
-- and double click.
This should open the data file in Excel.
If it works OK repeat the process, and this
time check the box "always use this program . . "
which will write the selection into the Registry.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)