This is generally the case when you open a Template file.

Check to see if the actual finances.xls is perhaps finances.XLT

Gord Dibben Excel MVP

On 27 Nov 2004 11:51:12 -0600, wrote:

What I want to do is to create a shortcut to a spreadsheet called,
say. "finances.xls" - but when I open that shortcut it changes the
name to "finances1.xls" and the user has to remember that just hitting
the save icon in excel will -not- update the original file. Is there
a way to turn this numbering off?