I think if you start Excel and set the Calculation option to Manual
then do File | Open on your file, the file will inherit the manual
calculation setting.

Hope this helps.

Pete

wrote:
Is there a way to open an xls file without causing recalculation?

I know that if the xls file were saved with the Calculation option set
to Manual and not Recalculate Before Save (for extra measure), I can
subsequently open the file and there will be no recalculation.

But I am asking about an xls file that I did not save -- for example,
an xls file that is sent to me, and I have no control over the
calculation options that were selected.