can't open (excel) files

[hxl7]

Hi All ...
When I am in Explorer and My Documents and I try to double click open an Excel file (Office 2003), I get the error message: "There was a problem sending the command to the program."
However, if I try to similarly open a Word, or .PDF, or .TXT file in a similar manner, there is no problem.
Thank you for any ideas.
Bill
Win7 Ultimate, 64

 

[Jonathan_King]

Hello, Welcome to the Forums!
Sounds like an Excel issue, and not a Windows issue. Can you remove Excel and reinstall it?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You might run sfc /scannow from a command prompt to see if it is a system file problem.

I think Excel will offer to do a repair install if you use your original disc. If not, take Jonathan's advise and uninstall, then reinstall.

 

[hxl7]

Thanks for the ideas, guys, but no go.
All the best, Bill

 

[slithernet]

This is a long shot, but disable your AV software and see if it opens. Had a prob like this before and AVG wouldn't let me open the files.

 

[scrozier]

There's a setting in tools, options regarding "Ignore other programs that use dde" - this option needs to be unchecked

Had the same problem with a windows 7 64 bit and Excel 2007, dde was the problem.

 

[padron20]

scrozier: when you wrote,

"There's a setting in tools, options regarding 'Ignore other programs that use dde' - this option needs to be unchecked"

where is this done? I am unable to open some older Excel files using 2007 Excel. However, if I used the same file say within the last year (using XP before 2007) and saved it in a different place I can now open it using 2007. Hope this makes sense. Thank you.

 

[hxl7]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I am still having the problem.

I do not seem to have the DDE option in Excel 2003.

It is a very odd problem since a) double clicking to Open produces the error, but b) Send To and c) /File Open from within Excel both will function normally.

Bill

 

[clunkfish]

Try right-clicking on an Excel file that is giving problems, then select "Open with..." and make sure that Excel is the default program associated with the file.

 

[rattwater]

Hi hxl7. Did you ever resolve this issue? Please have a look at my posting today titled "Excel files are not opening". It sounds like it could be the same problem, or very similar anyway. Interested to know how you went on it.
Regards, Robert

 

[Pyrex]

Resolved

I had the same issue but unchecking 'Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)' resolved the issue. I am using Windows 7 and Excel 2007. I believe the issue occurred at the same time I installed AVG antivirus.

You can get to that option in excel by clicking on;
-Office 2007 icon at the top left in excel
-Excel options at the bottom right
-Advanced from the selections on the left bar
-Scroll down to General
- Untick 'Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)'


Hope this helps as I tried to be as detailed as possible

 

[loaba]

Hello, Welcome to the Forums!
Sounds like an Excel issue, and not a Windows issue. Can you remove Excel and reinstall it?

This gets my vote.

About DDE: if you turn that off, you will lose some functionality between Office apps.

 

[awwjldw]

A little additional information on this, this can be controlled by GPO or a registry change. This setting is also known to cause Excel and other documents to not open by double clicking them. But opening the application by means of a start menu or shortcut to the application and then doing a File Open for the document will work. As a fix if Unchecking the box isnt working for you (as some have reported that issue on various sites) changing the registry or setting/modifying Group Policy can resolve this. See attached screen shots, this works for all versions of Windows and Office 2007 or 2010. The registry entries will only exist if a Group Policy Administrative Template was used. But if it isnt there, you can create the keys and entry and it will resolve the problem. Big important note on this policy as you will see in the screen shot of the registry, the registry setting is opposite to what you are use to most likely. In most cases a "0" is off and a "1" is on. This is not the case here, "1" is off and "0" is on. So as in my screen shot, this will turn off (or in other words Uncheck the box) and thus allowing your application to work. Hope this sets some light on the subject for those trying to resolve their own issue. Best of luck.