Sometimes one of these works:

Tools|Options|General|Ignore other applications (uncheck it)

--- or ---

Close Excel and
Windows Start Button|Run
excel /unregserver
then
Windows Start Button|Run
excel /regserver

The /unregserver & /regserver stuff resets the windows registry to excel's
factory defaults.

NC wrote:

I cannot open my excel files without first opening excel. I have tried going
through properties to make sure it is opening with the right program and it
is. Any other thoughts.

--

Dave Peterson