Window explorer opening multiple instance of Excel

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When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened
in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel;
i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a
macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each
file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office.
Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set
this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel
2003.
 
Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened
in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel;
i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a
macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each
file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office.
Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set
this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel
2003.
 
Ramesh,
Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of
Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd
like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of
Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window'
pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is
there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows
Registry file?
 
cmanssur,

Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of
Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd
like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of
Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window'
pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is
there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows
Registry file?
 
Ramesh,
Yes, it's unchecked. I have one icon on the Task bar but it has the number
3 in front of it (using my 3 file example below). When you select it, it
lists each file with its own respective instance of Excel.
--
cman


Ramesh said:
cmanssur,

Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of
Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd
like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of
Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window'
pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is
there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows
Registry file?
--
cman


Ramesh said:
Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened
in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel;
i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a
macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each
file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office.
Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set
this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel
2003.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hi cman,

I can repro the problem by explicitly invoking excel.exe <filename.xls> using a shortcut or Run command. Perhaps your macro is using the same method, or does it use shellexecute direct .xls file?

Other options that I can think of:

1. See if repairing Excel helps, in case of incorrect file association/missing DDE strings
2. Repost this question in Excel newsgroups,.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
Yes, it's unchecked. I have one icon on the Task bar but it has the number
3 in front of it (using my 3 file example below). When you select it, it
lists each file with its own respective instance of Excel.
--
cman


Ramesh said:
cmanssur,

Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of
Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd
like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of
Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window'
pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is
there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows
Registry file?
--
cman


Ramesh said:
Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened
in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel;
i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a
macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each
file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office.
Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set
this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel
2003.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Ramesh,
I start by manually selecting several file (.txt files) in Window Explorer.
I the chose 'Open With' Excel, with check box for 'always use this program'
checked. I do this to avoid the text file wizard and to have just the raw
data, unformatted. Only then do I open my macro which work on one file at a
time, closes it, then opens the next file (ActiveWindow.ActivateNext) with in
the window 'pane'.
Figured this was looking more like a Windows issue then Excel. That's why I
started my post here. Repair didn't help, also.
I try the Excel group, as you suggest. Thanks for all your attempts...can't
say you didn't try!
--
cman


Ramesh said:
Hi cman,

I can repro the problem by explicitly invoking excel.exe <filename.xls> using a shortcut or Run command. Perhaps your macro is using the same method, or does it use shellexecute direct .xls file?

Other options that I can think of:

1. See if repairing Excel helps, in case of incorrect file association/missing DDE strings
2. Repost this question in Excel newsgroups,.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
Yes, it's unchecked. I have one icon on the Task bar but it has the number
3 in front of it (using my 3 file example below). When you select it, it
lists each file with its own respective instance of Excel.
--
cman


Ramesh said:
cmanssur,

Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of
Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd
like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of
Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window'
pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is
there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows
Registry file?
--
cman


Ramesh said:
Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened
in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel;
i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a
macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each
file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office.
Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set
this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel
2003.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
No problem, cman. Hope someone at the Excel groups arrive at a solution!

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
I start by manually selecting several file (.txt files) in Window Explorer.
I the chose 'Open With' Excel, with check box for 'always use this program'
checked. I do this to avoid the text file wizard and to have just the raw
data, unformatted. Only then do I open my macro which work on one file at a
time, closes it, then opens the next file (ActiveWindow.ActivateNext) with in
the window 'pane'.
Figured this was looking more like a Windows issue then Excel. That's why I
started my post here. Repair didn't help, also.
I try the Excel group, as you suggest. Thanks for all your attempts...can't
say you didn't try!
--
cman


Ramesh said:
Hi cman,

I can repro the problem by explicitly invoking excel.exe <filename.xls> using a shortcut or Run command. Perhaps your macro is using the same method, or does it use shellexecute direct .xls file?

Other options that I can think of:

1. See if repairing Excel helps, in case of incorrect file association/missing DDE strings
2. Repost this question in Excel newsgroups,.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
Yes, it's unchecked. I have one icon on the Task bar but it has the number
3 in front of it (using my 3 file example below). When you select it, it
lists each file with its own respective instance of Excel.
--
cman


Ramesh said:
cmanssur,

Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of
Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd
like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of
Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window'
pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is
there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows
Registry file?
--
cman


Ramesh said:
Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened
in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel;
i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a
macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each
file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office.
Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set
this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel
2003.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Ramesh,
GOT IT! Someone with a similar question on within the Excel workgroup.
Open Windows Explorer
"Tools"
"Folder Options"
"FileTypes"
select the .xls extension
Click "Advanced"
Check the check box "Browse in same window" (not sure if thats proper
wording??)
Thats it! I thought it was something in Explorer/Windows but I couldn't
move beyond the "Advanced" options. Just a lowly tech here so I.T. had it
disabled for all the techs.

Just thought you'd like to know. Thanks again.
--
cman


Ramesh said:
No problem, cman. Hope someone at the Excel groups arrive at a solution!

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
I start by manually selecting several file (.txt files) in Window Explorer.
I the chose 'Open With' Excel, with check box for 'always use this program'
checked. I do this to avoid the text file wizard and to have just the raw
data, unformatted. Only then do I open my macro which work on one file at a
time, closes it, then opens the next file (ActiveWindow.ActivateNext) with in
the window 'pane'.
Figured this was looking more like a Windows issue then Excel. That's why I
started my post here. Repair didn't help, also.
I try the Excel group, as you suggest. Thanks for all your attempts...can't
say you didn't try!
--
cman


Ramesh said:
Hi cman,

I can repro the problem by explicitly invoking excel.exe <filename.xls> using a shortcut or Run command. Perhaps your macro is using the same method, or does it use shellexecute direct .xls file?

Other options that I can think of:

1. See if repairing Excel helps, in case of incorrect file association/missing DDE strings
2. Repost this question in Excel newsgroups,.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
Yes, it's unchecked. I have one icon on the Task bar but it has the number
3 in front of it (using my 3 file example below). When you select it, it
lists each file with its own respective instance of Excel.
--
cman


Ramesh said:
cmanssur,

Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of
Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd
like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of
Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window'
pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is
there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows
Registry file?
--
cman


:

Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened
in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel;
i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a
macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each
file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office.
Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set
this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel
2003.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Excellent! Thanks for the post, cman.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
GOT IT! Someone with a similar question on within the Excel workgroup.
Open Windows Explorer
"Tools"
"Folder Options"
"FileTypes"
select the .xls extension
Click "Advanced"
Check the check box "Browse in same window" (not sure if thats proper
wording??)
Thats it! I thought it was something in Explorer/Windows but I couldn't
move beyond the "Advanced" options. Just a lowly tech here so I.T. had it
disabled for all the techs.

Just thought you'd like to know. Thanks again.
--
cman


Ramesh said:
No problem, cman. Hope someone at the Excel groups arrive at a solution!

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
I start by manually selecting several file (.txt files) in Window Explorer.
I the chose 'Open With' Excel, with check box for 'always use this program'
checked. I do this to avoid the text file wizard and to have just the raw
data, unformatted. Only then do I open my macro which work on one file at a
time, closes it, then opens the next file (ActiveWindow.ActivateNext) with in
the window 'pane'.
Figured this was looking more like a Windows issue then Excel. That's why I
started my post here. Repair didn't help, also.
I try the Excel group, as you suggest. Thanks for all your attempts...can't
say you didn't try!
--
cman


Ramesh said:
Hi cman,

I can repro the problem by explicitly invoking excel.exe <filename.xls> using a shortcut or Run command. Perhaps your macro is using the same method, or does it use shellexecute direct .xls file?

Other options that I can think of:

1. See if repairing Excel helps, in case of incorrect file association/missing DDE strings
2. Repost this question in Excel newsgroups,.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
Yes, it's unchecked. I have one icon on the Task bar but it has the number
3 in front of it (using my 3 file example below). When you select it, it
lists each file with its own respective instance of Excel.
--
cman


Ramesh said:
cmanssur,

Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh,
Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of
Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd
like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of
Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window'
pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is
there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows
Registry file?
--
cman


:

Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened
in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel;
i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a
macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each
file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office.
Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set
this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel
2003.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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