Window explorer opening multiple instance of Excel cmanssur 5/31/2007 10:48:01 AM When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel; i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office. Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel 2003. -- cman

Re: Window explorer opening multiple instance of Excel "Ramesh, MS-MVP" <ramesh[ at ]XOX.mvps.org> 6/3/2007 6:12:26 AM Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx -- Regards, Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:133D31AD-70D1-4074-B790-8DF1D78DE4ED[ at ]microsoft.com... When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel; i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office. Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel 2003. -- cman

Re: Window explorer opening multiple instance of Excel cmanssur 6/5/2007 10:40:01 AM Ramesh, Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window' pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows Registry file? -- cman "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: [Quoted Text] > Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online: > http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx > > -- > Regards, > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:133D31AD-70D1-4074-B790-8DF1D78DE4ED[ at ]microsoft.com... > When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened > in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel; > i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a > macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each > file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office. > Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set > this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel > 2003. > -- > cman >

Re: Window explorer opening multiple instance of Excel "Ramesh, MS-MVP" <ramesh[ at ]XOX.mvps.org> 6/7/2007 2:27:49 PM cmanssur, Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel? -- Regards, Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2E807B29-C7F1-4EC7-815C-54B7D5F7854D[ at ]microsoft.com... Ramesh, Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window' pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows Registry file? -- cman "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: [Quoted Text] > Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online: > http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx > > -- > Regards, > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:133D31AD-70D1-4074-B790-8DF1D78DE4ED[ at ]microsoft.com... > When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened > in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel; > i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a > macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each > file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office. > Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set > this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel > 2003. > -- > cman >

Re: Window explorer opening multiple instance of Excel cmanssur 6/8/2007 10:59:02 AM Ramesh, Yes, it's unchecked. I have one icon on the Task bar but it has the number 3 in front of it (using my 3 file example below). When you select it, it lists each file with its own respective instance of Excel. -- cman "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: [Quoted Text] > cmanssur, > > Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel? > > -- > Regards, > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2E807B29-C7F1-4EC7-815C-54B7D5F7854D[ at ]microsoft.com... > Ramesh, > Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of > Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd > like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of > Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window' > pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is > there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows > Registry file? > -- > cman > > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: > > > Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online: > > http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx > > > > -- > > Regards, > > > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:133D31AD-70D1-4074-B790-8DF1D78DE4ED[ at ]microsoft.com... > > When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened > > in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel; > > i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a > > macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each > > file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office. > > Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set > > this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel > > 2003. > > -- > > cman > > >

Re: Window explorer opening multiple instance of Excel "Ramesh, MS-MVP" <ramesh[ at ]XOX.mvps.org> 6/9/2007 4:32:02 PM Hi cman, I can repro the problem by explicitly invoking excel.exe <filename.xls> using a shortcut or Run command. Perhaps your macro is using the same method, or does it use shellexecute direct .xls file? Other options that I can think of: 1. See if repairing Excel helps, in case of incorrect file association/missing DDE strings 2. Repost this question in Excel newsgroups,. -- Regards, Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:B77C51E5-D2A7-4E6D-981E-62EF62616187[ at ]microsoft.com... Ramesh, Yes, it's unchecked. I have one icon on the Task bar but it has the number 3 in front of it (using my 3 file example below). When you select it, it lists each file with its own respective instance of Excel. -- cman "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: [Quoted Text] > cmanssur, > > Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel? > > -- > Regards, > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2E807B29-C7F1-4EC7-815C-54B7D5F7854D[ at ]microsoft.com... > Ramesh, > Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of > Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd > like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of > Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window' > pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is > there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows > Registry file? > -- > cman > > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: > > > Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online: > > http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx > > > > -- > > Regards, > > > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:133D31AD-70D1-4074-B790-8DF1D78DE4ED[ at ]microsoft.com... > > When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened > > in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel; > > i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a > > macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each > > file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office. > > Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set > > this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel > > 2003. > > -- > > cman > > >

Re: Window explorer opening multiple instance of Excel cmanssur 6/11/2007 11:36:01 AM Ramesh, I start by manually selecting several file (.txt files) in Window Explorer. I the chose 'Open With' Excel, with check box for 'always use this program' checked. I do this to avoid the text file wizard and to have just the raw data, unformatted. Only then do I open my macro which work on one file at a time, closes it, then opens the next file (ActiveWindow.ActivateNext) with in the window 'pane'. Figured this was looking more like a Windows issue then Excel. That's why I started my post here. Repair didn't help, also. I try the Excel group, as you suggest. Thanks for all your attempts...can't say you didn't try! -- cman "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: [Quoted Text] > Hi cman, > > I can repro the problem by explicitly invoking excel.exe <filename.xls> using a shortcut or Run command. Perhaps your macro is using the same method, or does it use shellexecute direct .xls file? > > Other options that I can think of: > > 1. See if repairing Excel helps, in case of incorrect file association/missing DDE strings > 2. Repost this question in Excel newsgroups,. > > -- > Regards, > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:B77C51E5-D2A7-4E6D-981E-62EF62616187[ at ]microsoft.com... > Ramesh, > Yes, it's unchecked. I have one icon on the Task bar but it has the number > 3 in front of it (using my 3 file example below). When you select it, it > lists each file with its own respective instance of Excel. > -- > cman > > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: > > > cmanssur, > > > > Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel? > > > > -- > > Regards, > > > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2E807B29-C7F1-4EC7-815C-54B7D5F7854D[ at ]microsoft.com... > > Ramesh, > > Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of > > Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd > > like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of > > Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window' > > pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is > > there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows > > Registry file? > > -- > > cman > > > > > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: > > > > > Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online: > > > http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx > > > > > > -- > > > Regards, > > > > > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > > > > > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:133D31AD-70D1-4074-B790-8DF1D78DE4ED[ at ]microsoft.com... > > > When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened > > > in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel; > > > i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a > > > macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each > > > file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office. > > > Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set > > > this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel > > > 2003. > > > -- > > > cman > > > > > >

Re: Window explorer opening multiple instance of Excel "Ramesh, MS-MVP" <ramesh[ at ]XOX.mvps.org> 6/11/2007 1:36:19 PM No problem, cman. Hope someone at the Excel groups arrive at a solution! -- Regards, Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:3AA874D2-2A50-440E-8D57-5F090948BEFE[ at ]microsoft.com... Ramesh, I start by manually selecting several file (.txt files) in Window Explorer. I the chose 'Open With' Excel, with check box for 'always use this program' checked. I do this to avoid the text file wizard and to have just the raw data, unformatted. Only then do I open my macro which work on one file at a time, closes it, then opens the next file (ActiveWindow.ActivateNext) with in the window 'pane'. Figured this was looking more like a Windows issue then Excel. That's why I started my post here. Repair didn't help, also. I try the Excel group, as you suggest. Thanks for all your attempts...can't say you didn't try! -- cman "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: [Quoted Text] > Hi cman, > > I can repro the problem by explicitly invoking excel.exe <filename.xls> using a shortcut or Run command. Perhaps your macro is using the same method, or does it use shellexecute direct .xls file? > > Other options that I can think of: > > 1. See if repairing Excel helps, in case of incorrect file association/missing DDE strings > 2. Repost this question in Excel newsgroups,. > > -- > Regards, > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:B77C51E5-D2A7-4E6D-981E-62EF62616187[ at ]microsoft.com... > Ramesh, > Yes, it's unchecked. I have one icon on the Task bar but it has the number > 3 in front of it (using my 3 file example below). When you select it, it > lists each file with its own respective instance of Excel. > -- > cman > > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: > > > cmanssur, > > > > Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel? > > > > -- > > Regards, > > > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2E807B29-C7F1-4EC7-815C-54B7D5F7854D[ at ]microsoft.com... > > Ramesh, > > Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of > > Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd > > like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of > > Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window' > > pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is > > there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows > > Registry file? > > -- > > cman > > > > > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: > > > > > Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online: > > > http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx > > > > > > -- > > > Regards, > > > > > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > > > > > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:133D31AD-70D1-4074-B790-8DF1D78DE4ED[ at ]microsoft.com... > > > When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened > > > in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel; > > > i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a > > > macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each > > > file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office. > > > Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set > > > this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel > > > 2003. > > > -- > > > cman > > > > > >

Re: Window explorer opening multiple instance of Excel cmanssur 6/11/2007 7:08:01 PM Ramesh, GOT IT! Someone with a similar question on within the Excel workgroup. Open Windows Explorer "Tools" "Folder Options" "FileTypes" select the .xls extension Click "Advanced" Check the check box "Browse in same window" (not sure if thats proper wording??) Thats it! I thought it was something in Explorer/Windows but I couldn't move beyond the "Advanced" options. Just a lowly tech here so I.T. had it disabled for all the techs. Just thought you'd like to know. Thanks again. -- cman "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: [Quoted Text] > No problem, cman. Hope someone at the Excel groups arrive at a solution! > > -- > Regards, > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:3AA874D2-2A50-440E-8D57-5F090948BEFE[ at ]microsoft.com... > Ramesh, > I start by manually selecting several file (.txt files) in Window Explorer. > I the chose 'Open With' Excel, with check box for 'always use this program' > checked. I do this to avoid the text file wizard and to have just the raw > data, unformatted. Only then do I open my macro which work on one file at a > time, closes it, then opens the next file (ActiveWindow.ActivateNext) with in > the window 'pane'. > Figured this was looking more like a Windows issue then Excel. That's why I > started my post here. Repair didn't help, also. > I try the Excel group, as you suggest. Thanks for all your attempts...can't > say you didn't try! > -- > cman > > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: > > > Hi cman, > > > > I can repro the problem by explicitly invoking excel.exe <filename.xls> using a shortcut or Run command. Perhaps your macro is using the same method, or does it use shellexecute direct .xls file? > > > > Other options that I can think of: > > > > 1. See if repairing Excel helps, in case of incorrect file association/missing DDE strings > > 2. Repost this question in Excel newsgroups,. > > > > -- > > Regards, > > > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:B77C51E5-D2A7-4E6D-981E-62EF62616187[ at ]microsoft.com... > > Ramesh, > > Yes, it's unchecked. I have one icon on the Task bar but it has the number > > 3 in front of it (using my 3 file example below). When you select it, it > > lists each file with its own respective instance of Excel. > > -- > > cman > > > > > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: > > > > > cmanssur, > > > > > > Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel? > > > > > > -- > > > Regards, > > > > > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > > > > > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2E807B29-C7F1-4EC7-815C-54B7D5F7854D[ at ]microsoft.com... > > > Ramesh, > > > Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of > > > Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd > > > like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of > > > Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window' > > > pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is > > > there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows > > > Registry file? > > > -- > > > cman > > > > > > > > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: > > > > > > > Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online: > > > > http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx > > > > > > > > -- > > > > Regards, > > > > > > > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > > > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > > > > > > > > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:133D31AD-70D1-4074-B790-8DF1D78DE4ED[ at ]microsoft.com... > > > > When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened > > > > in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel; > > > > i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a > > > > macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each > > > > file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office. > > > > Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set > > > > this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel > > > > 2003. > > > > -- > > > > cman > > > > > > > > > >

Re: Window explorer opening multiple instance of Excel "Ramesh, MS-MVP" <ramesh[ at ]XOX.mvps.org> 6/12/2007 4:45:29 AM Excellent! Thanks for the post, cman. -- Regards, Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:5A43D93F-2A6B-4C52-B6BA-C17D77DA9358[ at ]microsoft.com... Ramesh, GOT IT! Someone with a similar question on within the Excel workgroup. Open Windows Explorer "Tools" "Folder Options" "FileTypes" select the .xls extension Click "Advanced" Check the check box "Browse in same window" (not sure if thats proper wording??) Thats it! I thought it was something in Explorer/Windows but I couldn't move beyond the "Advanced" options. Just a lowly tech here so I.T. had it disabled for all the techs. Just thought you'd like to know. Thanks again. -- cman "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: [Quoted Text] > No problem, cman. Hope someone at the Excel groups arrive at a solution! > > -- > Regards, > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:3AA874D2-2A50-440E-8D57-5F090948BEFE[ at ]microsoft.com... > Ramesh, > I start by manually selecting several file (.txt files) in Window Explorer. > I the chose 'Open With' Excel, with check box for 'always use this program' > checked. I do this to avoid the text file wizard and to have just the raw > data, unformatted. Only then do I open my macro which work on one file at a > time, closes it, then opens the next file (ActiveWindow.ActivateNext) with in > the window 'pane'. > Figured this was looking more like a Windows issue then Excel. That's why I > started my post here. Repair didn't help, also. > I try the Excel group, as you suggest. Thanks for all your attempts...can't > say you didn't try! > -- > cman > > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: > > > Hi cman, > > > > I can repro the problem by explicitly invoking excel.exe <filename.xls> using a shortcut or Run command. Perhaps your macro is using the same method, or does it use shellexecute direct .xls file? > > > > Other options that I can think of: > > > > 1. See if repairing Excel helps, in case of incorrect file association/missing DDE strings > > 2. Repost this question in Excel newsgroups,. > > > > -- > > Regards, > > > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:B77C51E5-D2A7-4E6D-981E-62EF62616187[ at ]microsoft.com... > > Ramesh, > > Yes, it's unchecked. I have one icon on the Task bar but it has the number > > 3 in front of it (using my 3 file example below). When you select it, it > > lists each file with its own respective instance of Excel. > > -- > > cman > > > > > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: > > > > > cmanssur, > > > > > > Just to be sure: Did you uncheck the Windows in Taskbar check box in Excel? > > > > > > -- > > > Regards, > > > > > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > > > > > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2E807B29-C7F1-4EC7-815C-54B7D5F7854D[ at ]microsoft.com... > > > Ramesh, > > > Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, this still opens several instance of > > > Excel. There only displayed under one Excel label on the Task bar. What I'd > > > like to happen is if I selected 3 files Explorer, there'd be one instance of > > > Excel (one on the Task bar) with my 3 selected file visible in the 'Window' > > > pull-down list of Excel. This works on some workstations but not others. Is > > > there some switches used/not used when opening Excel maybe in the Windows > > > Registry file? > > > -- > > > cman > > > > > > > > > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote: > > > > > > > Show or hide multiple program buttons on the Windows Taskbar - Excel - Microsoft Office Online: > > > > http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052702371033.aspx > > > > > > > > -- > > > > Regards, > > > > > > > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User] > > > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com > > > > > > > > > > > > "cmanssur" <cmanssur[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:133D31AD-70D1-4074-B790-8DF1D78DE4ED[ at ]microsoft.com... > > > > When I open several files at once thru Windows Explorer, each file is opened > > > > in a separate instance of Excel. I want all files in one instance of Excel; > > > > i.e. all files should be visible from the Window pane of Excel. I have a > > > > macro that opens each file separately (ActivateNext) and then closes each > > > > file. This seems to be dependent on which work station around the office. > > > > Some open one instance of Excel, some open several instances. How can I set > > > > this up to only open one instance of Excel? I using Windows XP and Excel > > > > 2003. > > > > -- > > > > cman > > > > > > > > > >