Try repeating your scenario but start Excel in safe mode (from Start-Run
enter "Excel.exe /s" (no quotes, there is a space before the slash). If
there is no problem then you know it's a file you're loading automatically.
It could be your toolbar file Excel11.xlb (usually found in C:\Documents and
Settings\<user folder\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel). Or an add-in
(Tools, Add-ins) or your Personal.xls or any other file in either of your
XLSTART folders.

You need to narrow down the cause by moving each of these out of their
normal locations temporarily (with Excel closed) (for add-ins just uncheck
them) to see which is the culprit.

If the problem does not go away in safe mode... I don't know what it could
be.

--
Jim
"Tom" wrote in message
...
| Excel 2003
| Windows XP Pro SP 2
|
| My Excel 2003 won't allow me to open a spreadsheet and use it.
| Here's the scenario:
| 1) Launch Excel 2003
| 2) Select spreadsheet to Open via FileOpenbrowse
| 3) Once the spreadsheet is open the FIRST click for a tab at the bottom or
| anyplace into the current spreadsheet locks up Excel. The only way out is
to
| utilize Task Manager and abnormally end the application. I've logged off
and
| logged back on and the issue is still there.
| Any ideas? I've done an virus scan and I'm seeing nothing. (McAfee
online).
| TIA