More info ...

I'm running Win XP Pro and wish to open a DBF file with Excel 2003 via
Windows Explorer (as is possible with Excel 2000/Win98SE, simply by
associating DBF files with Excel), but get an error dialog:

"This action is only valid for products that are currently installed."

If Excel 2003 is *already open*, then selecting a .DBF file in Windows
Explorer opens successfully in Excel.

Regards,

Dave.