Excel opens without displaying a workbook (211494)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Excel 2003
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q211494

SYMPTOMS

When you double-click a Microsoft Excel workbook (.xls file) in Microsoft Windows Explorer, Excel does not open the file, and you may receive the following error message:
Cannot find the file 'path' (or one of its components). Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available.
Excel may actually open, but the file will not open. If Excel is already running, a second instance of Excel may start.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if the Ignore other applications setting in Excel is selected.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. Click the General tab.
  3. Click to clear the Ignore other applications check box, and then click OK.
After you do this, you should be able to open workbooks by double-clicking them in Windows Explorer.

MORE INFORMATION

When you double-click an Excel workbook in Windows Explorer, a dynamic data exchange (DDE) message is sent to Excel, instructing it to open the workbook that you double-clicked.

If the Ignore other applications setting is selected, Excel ignores DDE messages sent to it by other programs. As a result, the DDE message sent to Excel by Windows Explorer is ignored, and Excel does not open the workbook that you double-clicked.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/5/2006
Keywords:kbConfig kbopenfile kbprb kbualink97 KB211494
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