Excel: Opening File from Finder Doesn't Set Directory (75608)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh 3.0
This article was previously published under Q75608

SUMMARY

If Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh version 3.0 is being used with System 7.0, Excel will not set the active directory to the one where the file is located if the file is opened from the Finder. To avoid this behavior, open the file from within Excel by choosing the Open command from the File menu.

MORE INFORMATION

For a solution to this problem, please contact Product Support directly at 425-635-7080.

The following macro commands provide a workaround to this problem. This macro can be used to set the active folder when a file is double-clicked in order to launch Excel: 

+---+-------------------------------------------------------------+
|   |               A                                             |
+---+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1 | Auto_Open                                                   |
+---+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2 | =ON.WINDOW(,"Set_Directory")                                |
+---+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3 | =RETURN()                                                   |
+---+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| 4 |                                                             |
+---+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| 5 | Set_Directory                                               |
+---+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| 6 | =IF(ISERROR(FIND(":",GET.DOCUMENT(2))),GET.DOCUMENT(2)&":", |
|   |  GET.DOCUMENT(2))                                           |
+---+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| 7 | =DIRECTORY(A6)                                 |
+---+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| 8 | =ON.WINDOW()                                                |
+---+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| 9 | =RETURN()                                                   |
+---+-------------------------------------------------------------+


  1. Enter these macro commands on a macro sheet.
  2. Select cell A1, and choose Define Name from the Formula menu.
  3. In the Name box, type auto_open. Click
OK.

  1. Select cell A5, and choose Define Name from the Formula menu.
  2. In the Name box, type Set_Directory.
Click OK.

  1. From the File menu, choose Save As.
  2. Click the Options button.
  3. From the File Format list, select Add-In. Click OK.
  4. For the file's destination, choose the Excel Startup Folder, give
the file a name, and click the Save button.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:2/4/2002
Keywords:KB75608
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.