Start separate instances of Excel first, then open your documents from within
each respective instance.

However, if you really want to be able to open the files in separate
instances from Windows Explorer (doesn't work with desktop icons though),
then follow these steps:

Open Windows Explorer
Select "Tools"
Select "Folder Options"
Select the "File Types" Tab
Scroll down to find and select the XLS extension
Click the "Advanced" Button
Select the "Open" action from the list
Click the "Edit..." Button
Where is says "Application used to perform action:"
If not already there, add:

/e "%1"

to the end of the file path
Uncheck the "Use DDE" box
Click OK
Click OK
Click Close

That should do it.

HTH,
Elkar



"Mr. Analogy" wrote:

I've got a 3 monitor setup and I'd like to look at two excel spreadsheets in
two instances of excel, each maximized to one monitor.

But when I open multiple spreadsheets they're all just documents within a
MDI type interface so they're all on the same monitor (and I don't want to
extend excel to cover multiple monitors b/c they are different sizes.

Excel 2003

Any thoughts?