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Excel File Not Opening by Double Click? How to Fix it
This Excel problem can be fixed by adjusting your settings
4 min. read
Updated onAugust 19, 2024
updated onAugust 19, 2024
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Key notes
If Excel is not opening files, you won’t be able to view your sheets, and your projects will have to be delayed until you fix this issue.
While it’s possible to circumvent this issue, in today’s guide, we’ll show you how to fix this problem once and for all, so let’s get started.
Why Excel file is not opening by double click?
How do I fix an Excel file that won’t open?
Before we can fix this issue, be sure to perform a few preliminary checks:
1. Uncheck the ignore DDE option
Fix Excel file not opening by unchecking the ignore DDE box
One of the reasons your Excel program is not opening files may be caused by the Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) option selected.
The function of the DDE is to send a message to the program once you double-click, which then instructs it to open the file or workbook you have double-clicked to open.
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OpenMicrosoft Excel.
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Go toFilein the top left corner of the screen.
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Click onOptions.
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SelectAdvancedfrom the menu.
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Navigate to theGeneraltab.
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Uncheck theIgnore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)box.
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ClickOkto apply and save the changes.
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Check if you can open the desired Excel file.
Note:if you select Ignore, Excel ignores all DDE instructions sent from other programs to itself, thus it will not open the workbook you have double-clicked.
You can fix this issue and open hundreds of other file formats with a single application.
File Viewer Plusis a universal file viewer for Windows that can open and display over 300 different file types, with support for Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio, and Project files.
Then, if you want to resolve this issue using useful Windows file viewer software, have a try now withFile Viewer 4 Plus.
You can download it for free from the official website or buy it at an affordable price.
2. Reset file associations to fix Excel file not opening
3. Fix Excel file not opening by repairing the program
4. Turn off add-ins to fix the Excel file not opening error
Once all these steps are followed, restart the Excel program by double-clicking on a file or icon of the workbook you want to open.
Note: in case the problem recurs, repeat the first seven steps, then choose a different add-in to clear, and try this as you go along.
If it opens, then you’ll know the add-in you selected last is the one causing the issue. Then, you can find an update or newer version of the add-in from the manufacturer’s website, or turn it off if unavailable.
5. Disable Hardware Graphics Acceleration if Excel won’t open files
6. Change file extension
7. Modify the registry
Follow these steps to disable hardware graphics acceleration, and let us know if you managed to fix the Excel file not opening issue.
If none of the above solutions worked, thencontact Microsoft Supportfor further options. In case you’re having additional problems, ourExcel keeps crashingguide should be able to help you. You can also learn how tounlock an Excel sheet if you forget the password.
Did any of these solutions work for you? Share with us in the comments section.
More about the topics:Excel,Microsoft Office,windows 10
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
