OL98: Unable to Double-click to Open an Excel Attachment (231350)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 98
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Exchange Client 4.0
  • Microsoft Exchange Client 5.0
  • Microsoft Exchange Windows NT client 4.0
  • Microsoft Exchange Windows NT client 5.0
This article was previously published under Q231350

SYMPTOMS

All attempts to open an Excel e-mail file attachment by double-clicking the file are unsuccessful.

If you double-click an Excel attachment from within an e-mail message, Excel starts and appears to stop responding without opening the worksheet. If you minimize Excel you see the following hidden error message:
The system cannot find the file specified.
If you right-click the Excel attachment and then click Save As, to save it to your hard drive, it saves sucessfully. However, when you double-click the saved file to open it, you receive the following error message:
Cannot find the file <path\filename> (or one of its component(s)). Make sure the path and file name are correct and that all required libraries are available.
If you attempt to open the file by clicking Open on the Excel File menu, the file opens.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, follow these steps:
  1. Close the e-mail message.
  2. Start Excel.
  3. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  4. Under the General tab, click to clear the ignore other applications check box, and then click OK.
  5. Quit Excel.
Now you will be able to double-click the attachment to open it in Excel, and can save it to the hard disk drive.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about this issue, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

149764 XL: Workbook Doesn't Open When Double-Clicked

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/17/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB231350
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