Mike

This from help

This procedure clears all ways in which a workbook could be loaded.

1.. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the General tab.
2.. Clear the contents of the At startup, open all files in box.
3.. Remove workbooks stored in the XLStart folder.
4.. In Windows Explorer, remove the icon of the workbook you want to open
to an XLStart folder.
5.. Remove a startup switch from the Excel icon.
6.. Right-click the Excel icon that you want to use to open Excel, and
clear the contents of the Target box.

--
HTH
Nick Hodge
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Southampton, England
HIS


"Mike" wrote in message
...
Nick:

Thanks. Is there a way to have Excel open without the default Book1.xls
showing but having the Task Pane show?

I followed the instructions you provided and I do get the Task Pane but I
am
still getting the default Workbook Book1.xls.

"Nick Hodge" wrote:

Mike

Check this out for the issue

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;826837

--
HTH
Nick Hodge
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Southampton, England
HIS


"Mike" wrote in message
...
When I open Excel, the Task Pane appears briefly and then is replaced
by
the
default workbook Book 1.xls.

I would like to have Excel open with no workbook showing and with the
the
Task Pane showing.

Under ToolsOptionsView, I have checked the "Startup Task Pane".