If you're using Symantec/Norton AntiVirus, try disabling the
Office Plugin that comes with it. See
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=329820 "How to use Office
programs with the Norton AntiVirus Office plug-in" for more
information.

bri wrote:

all of a sudden my Excel (and Word) files take about 75 seconds to load
after the application has loaded. I cannot find any reason but there
again I am a novice.

Can anyone advise?

Thanks for your help in anticipation

bri