Open Excel files in new window












100














When I have Excel running and I double click an Excel file in Windows explorer, I'd like it to launch in a new window by default so that I can move documents to separate monitors. Is there any way to get this behavior?










share|improve this question



























    100














    When I have Excel running and I double click an Excel file in Windows explorer, I'd like it to launch in a new window by default so that I can move documents to separate monitors. Is there any way to get this behavior?










    share|improve this question

























      100












      100








      100


      26





      When I have Excel running and I double click an Excel file in Windows explorer, I'd like it to launch in a new window by default so that I can move documents to separate monitors. Is there any way to get this behavior?










      share|improve this question













      When I have Excel running and I double click an Excel file in Windows explorer, I'd like it to launch in a new window by default so that I can move documents to separate monitors. Is there any way to get this behavior?







      microsoft-excel






      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question










      asked Aug 12 '09 at 4:40









      JC.

      6362712




      6362712






















          14 Answers
          14






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          82














          I've had this problem too. Here's what I did:




          In Excel 2003, go to Tools -> Options
          -> General tab.



          Make sure the option, ‘Ignore other
          applications’ is checked.



          In Excel 2007 & 2010, Click the Office button
          -> Excel Options -> Advanced.



          Under General, check ‘Ignore other
          applications that use Dynamic Data
          Exchange’.




          enter image description here



          I don't know why this isn't built in.
          Source: http://www.lytebyte.com/2008/05/13/how-to-open-two-excel-files-side-by-side-in-separate-monitors/






          share|improve this answer



















          • 6




            Wow! How unobvious is that?
            – RBarryYoung
            Aug 16 '09 at 18:50






          • 8




            Why didn't they just call the option "jowfeio woif who82r wcjnmwvo 902r3hj2 w082f8"? it would have been more obvious! If I could +5 this answer, I would. Nay, I would +10 it. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
            – Michael Bray
            Mar 8 '12 at 17:14






          • 6




            I signed up for a super user account just to upvote this answer. Thank you!
            – Neil Vass
            Nov 1 '12 at 13:51






          • 37




            Didn't work for me (Office 2010 & Win 7). When I check the option, I can't open any Excel files: There was a problem sending the command or something similar.
            – Nolonar
            Apr 22 '13 at 16:14






          • 16




            This answer should not be used. See When I double-click an Excel spreadsheet, Excel opens but the document doesn't as for why. Also see this answer.
            – GSerg
            Nov 6 '13 at 11:23



















          16














          It's a bit back to front, and will work for any program not just Excel, but I middle-mouse-button click the Excel icon in the Windows 7 Taskbar and create a new instance of Excel, then open the documents in each instance of Excel.



          enter image description here



          enter image description here



          Once your have multiple instances of Excel running you can arrange them side by side by holding down Shift and right clicking on the icon:



          enter image description here






          share|improve this answer



















          • 3




            I was unaware that middle-click opened a new instance! I skipped this answer at first but it really is clever!
            – Nathan Goings
            May 13 '16 at 17:56



















          13














          There are certain disadvantages to having all your workbooks opened in different windows. For one thing, if you write a formula in one workbook which references another, it will include the full file path of the other workbook. For another, copy/pasting from one workbook to another reduces the number of options available for the destination data, like keeping the column widths, etcetera. It's possible that for your purposes those things won't matter much, but basically if you experience any "weird" behavior when using multiple workbooks in multiple windows, you might try opening them in the same window to see if the weirdness goes away.



          My preference is to leave the default behavior to open Excel workbooks in the same window, and when I want individual workbooks opened in different windows I right-click the file and select "Open in new window". In order to do that, I wrote this small utility. It's free. Feel free to install it.






          share|improve this answer























          • Cool! Thanks for the utility~
            – Leftium
            Oct 8 '10 at 21:46










          • I don't think your utility, as simple as it seems, would work if I'm opening Excel files from Outlook, right? Assuming the answer is "correct", then what would be REALLY nice is to have files that normally open in Excel actually open in a "hidden" application that can then either open the file in a new instance or somehow detect (eg SHIFT key held down?) that I want to open in an existing instance, and then if there's more than one instance, ask me which one. If you can do that, I'd buy it (for a fair price).
            – Michael Bray
            Mar 27 '13 at 21:02










          • You are correct: the utility will not work directly from Outlook. Your suggestion is interesting. But implementing it would make my utility way more invasive and resource intensive than I ever intended it to be.
            – Nick Spreitzer
            Mar 28 '13 at 2:57








          • 1




            And now there's a better option: Just update to Excel 2016. Not free, but cures your headache from 2013.
            – TJJ
            Mar 23 '17 at 10:10



















          6














          Excel 2007: If you have access to edit your windows registry, here are a few registry files that add the option to open in a new instance (either by default or not) when you right-click on your files so you can use both functionalities.



          There is a .reg file to 'uninstall' it as well. Tried and tested in excel 2007 (32-bits windows). I believe the technique is the same as in hyperslug's answer: DDE or not.






          share|improve this answer





















          • Now that's much better! I just had to add "(x86)" to the paths in the registry file since I run on 64bit.
            – David Schmitt
            Jan 25 '10 at 14:56










          • Too bad, the zip file containing the scripts referred in that post is now lost...
            – Antonio
            Oct 1 '15 at 19:30






          • 1




            @Antonio I seem to have them still lying around, but it's missing one (to remote it from context menu) and I have not tested it on newer excel versions, so use at your own risk. mega.nz/#!sANxXZiS!DM_DsD6gqiHBEUhCW7Q_7DMNy0SNHrwk8Xi4l45iVO4
            – mtone
            Oct 1 '15 at 19:32





















          6














          I followed the guide published here.



          In short:




          1. Open regedit (win+R, regedit)

          2. Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.Sheet.12/shell/Open/command

          3. In the tab on the right:


            • Right click on (Default), select Modify..., append a space followed by "%1" (including quotes)

            • Rename command into command2



          4. In the tab on the left:


            • Just below the command folder (whose name is left untouched),
              Rename ddeexec into ddeexec2



          5. Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.Sheet.8/shell/Open/command

          6. Repeat step 3 and 4

          7. If you want this to be valid also for csv files,
            Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.CSV/shell/Open/command

          8. Repeat step 3 and 4 (or just repeat step 6 :) )


          This worked for Microsoft Excel 2007. In case of update you might have to repeat these steps.



          I personally liked this manual approach because is reversible. With respect to some of the other proposed solutions, I love the fact that you can so easily open 2 files with the same name.






          share|improve this answer





















          • I would say this is the most effective method. Works in Excel 2010. Thanks!
            – Bill Stidham
            Feb 17 '17 at 16:16










          • Even more effective (because it doesn't destroy copy&paste functionality): Update to Excel 2016.
            – TJJ
            Mar 23 '17 at 10:11



















          5














          Since hyperslug's answer didn't work for me, I followed "Option B" from his link and now open a new (empty) Excel from the start menu and drag'n'drop the file I want to open into the new window.






          share|improve this answer





















          • Simple, but works - thanks, David. Unbelievable that something this simple needs to be made so difficult and counter-intuitive.
            – Amos M. Carpenter
            Aug 7 '15 at 3:41



















          4














          In Office 2013 they solved this issue. Each workbook is in its own window in Office 2013.






          share|improve this answer

















          • 2




            Each book has its own window, but they all still belong to the same instance of Excel (which can be highly confusing when you have code that wants to work with multiple opened workbooks).
            – GSerg
            Nov 6 '13 at 11:27



















          3














          Here's another set of registry files I (which I created) to solve the same problem: http://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/Office_Productivity/Office_Suites/MS_Office/Excel/A_1007-Option-to-open-excel-2007-documents-in-a-new-instance.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+30+excel+instanc+new



          Gives a right click menu to open excel files in a new instance, and optionally makes it the default behavior, but still leaves the option to open it in an existing instance if the workbooks need cutting and pasting with formatting between them.






          share|improve this answer





























            2














            finally one regedit instruction that works for my windows 7 and excel 2010




            To launch multiple instances of Excel, we change it by not using DDE
            to open the file. Check the "Ignore other applications that use
            Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)" box in Excel -> Excel Options -> Advanced



            If this does not work,for Windows Vista and Windows 7, we need to edit
            the registry to remove DDE completely.
            =============== Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems
            might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make
            sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back
            up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the
            registry if a problem occurs.




            1. Click Start, in the Search box, type regedit and press Enter.

            2. Locate the registry subkey: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.14shellOpen

            3. Delete the ddeexec subkey.

            4. Click on the command subkey, and then double-click the Default value from the right pane. Replace the value data with: "C:Program
              FilesMicrosoft OfficeOFFICE14EXCEL.EXE" "%1" Double-click the
              Command string value, replace its data with:
              (f'^Vn-}f(ZXfeAR6.jiEXCELFiles>!De@]Vz(r=f1lfq?R& "%1"




            Thank you to sally tang , on this forum
            https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/ee76d08d-3306-406d-894c-16fd3cb824d9/each-workbook-in-separate-windows-excel-2010-windows-7?forum=excel






            share|improve this answer





















            • This sounds like basically the same method as detailed here: dottech.org/26491/…. Repeat on the other various Excel.X entries to get all the possible files that Excel likes to open (CSV, xls, etc.)
              – Ben
              Jun 19 '15 at 16:36










            • This isn't working for me. I only get a message saying "[filename].xlsx The parameter is incorrect."
              – zarose
              Oct 20 '17 at 16:19



















            2














            Another solution is to merge a .reg file with the following content into Window's registry (change the path to EXCEL.EXE according to the version and installation path you have and add any additional file types you want to remap (Excel.Sheet.12 is for .xlsx files and Excel.Sheet.8 is for .xls files)):



            (You may want to back up your existing HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12 and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8 branches (via regedit.exe's export) in case you want to revert this change.



            Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00


            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shell]
            @="Open"

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEdit]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEditcommand]
            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
            command=-

            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEditddeexec]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpen]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpencommand]
            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
            command=-

            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenddeexec]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnly]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnlycommand]
            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" /r "%1""
            command=-

            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnlyddeexec]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtected]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtectedcommand]
            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
            command=-

            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtectedddeexec]




            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shell]
            @="Open"

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEdit]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEditcommand]
            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
            command=-

            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEditddeexec]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpen]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpencommand]
            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
            command=-

            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenddeexec]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnly]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnlycommand]
            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" /r "%1""
            command=-

            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnlyddeexec]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtected]

            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtectedcommand]
            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
            command=-

            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtectedddeexec]


            If, after applying this file, you want to open another file in the same window, use the file menu to open another file and it will open in the current window.






            share|improve this answer





























              2














              Microsoft has patched this already. You can download the patch here:



              https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2636670/how-to-open-excel-files-in-separate-windows-in-windows-7



              Running the patch does everything being said in the "Let me fix it myself" section.






              share|improve this answer























              • This should be the accepted answer.
                – Öskå
                Feb 21 '17 at 7:40










              • No, it should not. Because it doesn't fix the copy&paste problem between the two instances. There is no real fix for the problem. Only one solution: Update to Excel 2016.
                – TJJ
                Mar 23 '17 at 10:14










              • Copy paste works. It will obviously not paste relative links to data. BTW, Office has tendency to break the stuff over time so patch this patch again.
                – lockhrt
                Mar 24 '17 at 12:12












              • I applied this patch, and it worked for a couple weeks. Then it stopped working, and I had to apply the patch again.
                – pacoverflow
                Oct 6 '17 at 14:36



















              1














              This thread is old, but the problem is persistent! Hyperslugs solution didn't work for me, but I found a nifty launcher application that middle-mans the opening of excel documents and forces new instances. It can be found here http://blog.thomascsherman.com/2010/06/opening-excel-files-in-new-processes-excel-launcher-helper-app/ . I hope this helps someone with this annoying problem.






              share|improve this answer





























                1














                I use Excel 2010, and wanted to open a new instance for the purpose of being able to easily switch between spreadsheets. I use Alt+Tab which doesn't work with excel's default settings. If this is the main reason you wish to open a new instance for each spreadsheet, it can be resolved by;




                1. Open Excel

                2. Open the File Menu

                3. Click 'Options'

                4. Click 'Advanced'

                5. Scroll down to 'Display' Section

                6. Check the "Show all windows in the Taskbar" box


                This makes it easier to switch between spreadsheets, but if you're looking to view two spreadsheets simultaneously (i.e. if you have multiple monitors) you will still have to open a new instance of excel and open the file from within that instance.






                share|improve this answer





























                  0














                  Disabling DDE seems like the best option, but as others have pointed out, that causes Excel to open a blank window when you try to open a spreadsheet through Windows Explorer. If you usually open spreadsheet through Windows Explorer, I found that the best option is to re-associate the extensions and specify your own command.



                  To do that, open command prompt as an administrator and run the following commands (modifying the path to match your Office install):



                  C:WINDOWSsystem32>FTYPE XLSX.FILETYPE="C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficeOffice14Excel.exe" "%1"
                  C:WINDOWSsystem32>ASSOC .xlsx=XLSX.FILETYPE
                  C:WINDOWSsystem32>FTYPE XLSM.FILETYPE="C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficeOffice14Excel.exe" "%1"
                  C:WINDOWSsystem32>ASSOC .xlsm=XLSM.FILETYPE


                  This will cause a new window to open whenever you double-click an Excel file. It also fixes the behavior when you right-click the Excel icon and select a recent spreadsheet. However, it will not fix the behavior when you open a spreadsheet through the Open dialog in Excel -- those will still open in the same window.



                  NOTE: If you place the above commands in a batch file, you will need to use "%%1" in place of "%1".






                  share|improve this answer




















                    protected by Community Dec 14 '16 at 5:27



                    Thank you for your interest in this question.
                    Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



                    Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?














                    14 Answers
                    14






                    active

                    oldest

                    votes








                    14 Answers
                    14






                    active

                    oldest

                    votes









                    active

                    oldest

                    votes






                    active

                    oldest

                    votes









                    82














                    I've had this problem too. Here's what I did:




                    In Excel 2003, go to Tools -> Options
                    -> General tab.



                    Make sure the option, ‘Ignore other
                    applications’ is checked.



                    In Excel 2007 & 2010, Click the Office button
                    -> Excel Options -> Advanced.



                    Under General, check ‘Ignore other
                    applications that use Dynamic Data
                    Exchange’.




                    enter image description here



                    I don't know why this isn't built in.
                    Source: http://www.lytebyte.com/2008/05/13/how-to-open-two-excel-files-side-by-side-in-separate-monitors/






                    share|improve this answer



















                    • 6




                      Wow! How unobvious is that?
                      – RBarryYoung
                      Aug 16 '09 at 18:50






                    • 8




                      Why didn't they just call the option "jowfeio woif who82r wcjnmwvo 902r3hj2 w082f8"? it would have been more obvious! If I could +5 this answer, I would. Nay, I would +10 it. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
                      – Michael Bray
                      Mar 8 '12 at 17:14






                    • 6




                      I signed up for a super user account just to upvote this answer. Thank you!
                      – Neil Vass
                      Nov 1 '12 at 13:51






                    • 37




                      Didn't work for me (Office 2010 & Win 7). When I check the option, I can't open any Excel files: There was a problem sending the command or something similar.
                      – Nolonar
                      Apr 22 '13 at 16:14






                    • 16




                      This answer should not be used. See When I double-click an Excel spreadsheet, Excel opens but the document doesn't as for why. Also see this answer.
                      – GSerg
                      Nov 6 '13 at 11:23
















                    82














                    I've had this problem too. Here's what I did:




                    In Excel 2003, go to Tools -> Options
                    -> General tab.



                    Make sure the option, ‘Ignore other
                    applications’ is checked.



                    In Excel 2007 & 2010, Click the Office button
                    -> Excel Options -> Advanced.



                    Under General, check ‘Ignore other
                    applications that use Dynamic Data
                    Exchange’.




                    enter image description here



                    I don't know why this isn't built in.
                    Source: http://www.lytebyte.com/2008/05/13/how-to-open-two-excel-files-side-by-side-in-separate-monitors/






                    share|improve this answer



















                    • 6




                      Wow! How unobvious is that?
                      – RBarryYoung
                      Aug 16 '09 at 18:50






                    • 8




                      Why didn't they just call the option "jowfeio woif who82r wcjnmwvo 902r3hj2 w082f8"? it would have been more obvious! If I could +5 this answer, I would. Nay, I would +10 it. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
                      – Michael Bray
                      Mar 8 '12 at 17:14






                    • 6




                      I signed up for a super user account just to upvote this answer. Thank you!
                      – Neil Vass
                      Nov 1 '12 at 13:51






                    • 37




                      Didn't work for me (Office 2010 & Win 7). When I check the option, I can't open any Excel files: There was a problem sending the command or something similar.
                      – Nolonar
                      Apr 22 '13 at 16:14






                    • 16




                      This answer should not be used. See When I double-click an Excel spreadsheet, Excel opens but the document doesn't as for why. Also see this answer.
                      – GSerg
                      Nov 6 '13 at 11:23














                    82












                    82








                    82






                    I've had this problem too. Here's what I did:




                    In Excel 2003, go to Tools -> Options
                    -> General tab.



                    Make sure the option, ‘Ignore other
                    applications’ is checked.



                    In Excel 2007 & 2010, Click the Office button
                    -> Excel Options -> Advanced.



                    Under General, check ‘Ignore other
                    applications that use Dynamic Data
                    Exchange’.




                    enter image description here



                    I don't know why this isn't built in.
                    Source: http://www.lytebyte.com/2008/05/13/how-to-open-two-excel-files-side-by-side-in-separate-monitors/






                    share|improve this answer














                    I've had this problem too. Here's what I did:




                    In Excel 2003, go to Tools -> Options
                    -> General tab.



                    Make sure the option, ‘Ignore other
                    applications’ is checked.



                    In Excel 2007 & 2010, Click the Office button
                    -> Excel Options -> Advanced.



                    Under General, check ‘Ignore other
                    applications that use Dynamic Data
                    Exchange’.




                    enter image description here



                    I don't know why this isn't built in.
                    Source: http://www.lytebyte.com/2008/05/13/how-to-open-two-excel-files-side-by-side-in-separate-monitors/







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited Aug 18 '14 at 6:56









                    Preet Sangha

                    83111130




                    83111130










                    answered Aug 12 '09 at 4:49









                    hyperslug

                    12k43960




                    12k43960








                    • 6




                      Wow! How unobvious is that?
                      – RBarryYoung
                      Aug 16 '09 at 18:50






                    • 8




                      Why didn't they just call the option "jowfeio woif who82r wcjnmwvo 902r3hj2 w082f8"? it would have been more obvious! If I could +5 this answer, I would. Nay, I would +10 it. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
                      – Michael Bray
                      Mar 8 '12 at 17:14






                    • 6




                      I signed up for a super user account just to upvote this answer. Thank you!
                      – Neil Vass
                      Nov 1 '12 at 13:51






                    • 37




                      Didn't work for me (Office 2010 & Win 7). When I check the option, I can't open any Excel files: There was a problem sending the command or something similar.
                      – Nolonar
                      Apr 22 '13 at 16:14






                    • 16




                      This answer should not be used. See When I double-click an Excel spreadsheet, Excel opens but the document doesn't as for why. Also see this answer.
                      – GSerg
                      Nov 6 '13 at 11:23














                    • 6




                      Wow! How unobvious is that?
                      – RBarryYoung
                      Aug 16 '09 at 18:50






                    • 8




                      Why didn't they just call the option "jowfeio woif who82r wcjnmwvo 902r3hj2 w082f8"? it would have been more obvious! If I could +5 this answer, I would. Nay, I would +10 it. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
                      – Michael Bray
                      Mar 8 '12 at 17:14






                    • 6




                      I signed up for a super user account just to upvote this answer. Thank you!
                      – Neil Vass
                      Nov 1 '12 at 13:51






                    • 37




                      Didn't work for me (Office 2010 & Win 7). When I check the option, I can't open any Excel files: There was a problem sending the command or something similar.
                      – Nolonar
                      Apr 22 '13 at 16:14






                    • 16




                      This answer should not be used. See When I double-click an Excel spreadsheet, Excel opens but the document doesn't as for why. Also see this answer.
                      – GSerg
                      Nov 6 '13 at 11:23








                    6




                    6




                    Wow! How unobvious is that?
                    – RBarryYoung
                    Aug 16 '09 at 18:50




                    Wow! How unobvious is that?
                    – RBarryYoung
                    Aug 16 '09 at 18:50




                    8




                    8




                    Why didn't they just call the option "jowfeio woif who82r wcjnmwvo 902r3hj2 w082f8"? it would have been more obvious! If I could +5 this answer, I would. Nay, I would +10 it. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
                    – Michael Bray
                    Mar 8 '12 at 17:14




                    Why didn't they just call the option "jowfeio woif who82r wcjnmwvo 902r3hj2 w082f8"? it would have been more obvious! If I could +5 this answer, I would. Nay, I would +10 it. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
                    – Michael Bray
                    Mar 8 '12 at 17:14




                    6




                    6




                    I signed up for a super user account just to upvote this answer. Thank you!
                    – Neil Vass
                    Nov 1 '12 at 13:51




                    I signed up for a super user account just to upvote this answer. Thank you!
                    – Neil Vass
                    Nov 1 '12 at 13:51




                    37




                    37




                    Didn't work for me (Office 2010 & Win 7). When I check the option, I can't open any Excel files: There was a problem sending the command or something similar.
                    – Nolonar
                    Apr 22 '13 at 16:14




                    Didn't work for me (Office 2010 & Win 7). When I check the option, I can't open any Excel files: There was a problem sending the command or something similar.
                    – Nolonar
                    Apr 22 '13 at 16:14




                    16




                    16




                    This answer should not be used. See When I double-click an Excel spreadsheet, Excel opens but the document doesn't as for why. Also see this answer.
                    – GSerg
                    Nov 6 '13 at 11:23




                    This answer should not be used. See When I double-click an Excel spreadsheet, Excel opens but the document doesn't as for why. Also see this answer.
                    – GSerg
                    Nov 6 '13 at 11:23













                    16














                    It's a bit back to front, and will work for any program not just Excel, but I middle-mouse-button click the Excel icon in the Windows 7 Taskbar and create a new instance of Excel, then open the documents in each instance of Excel.



                    enter image description here



                    enter image description here



                    Once your have multiple instances of Excel running you can arrange them side by side by holding down Shift and right clicking on the icon:



                    enter image description here






                    share|improve this answer



















                    • 3




                      I was unaware that middle-click opened a new instance! I skipped this answer at first but it really is clever!
                      – Nathan Goings
                      May 13 '16 at 17:56
















                    16














                    It's a bit back to front, and will work for any program not just Excel, but I middle-mouse-button click the Excel icon in the Windows 7 Taskbar and create a new instance of Excel, then open the documents in each instance of Excel.



                    enter image description here



                    enter image description here



                    Once your have multiple instances of Excel running you can arrange them side by side by holding down Shift and right clicking on the icon:



                    enter image description here






                    share|improve this answer



















                    • 3




                      I was unaware that middle-click opened a new instance! I skipped this answer at first but it really is clever!
                      – Nathan Goings
                      May 13 '16 at 17:56














                    16












                    16








                    16






                    It's a bit back to front, and will work for any program not just Excel, but I middle-mouse-button click the Excel icon in the Windows 7 Taskbar and create a new instance of Excel, then open the documents in each instance of Excel.



                    enter image description here



                    enter image description here



                    Once your have multiple instances of Excel running you can arrange them side by side by holding down Shift and right clicking on the icon:



                    enter image description here






                    share|improve this answer














                    It's a bit back to front, and will work for any program not just Excel, but I middle-mouse-button click the Excel icon in the Windows 7 Taskbar and create a new instance of Excel, then open the documents in each instance of Excel.



                    enter image description here



                    enter image description here



                    Once your have multiple instances of Excel running you can arrange them side by side by holding down Shift and right clicking on the icon:



                    enter image description here







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited Jun 2 '16 at 3:51

























                    answered Jan 29 '16 at 7:13









                    Matthew Lock

                    3,65222340




                    3,65222340








                    • 3




                      I was unaware that middle-click opened a new instance! I skipped this answer at first but it really is clever!
                      – Nathan Goings
                      May 13 '16 at 17:56














                    • 3




                      I was unaware that middle-click opened a new instance! I skipped this answer at first but it really is clever!
                      – Nathan Goings
                      May 13 '16 at 17:56








                    3




                    3




                    I was unaware that middle-click opened a new instance! I skipped this answer at first but it really is clever!
                    – Nathan Goings
                    May 13 '16 at 17:56




                    I was unaware that middle-click opened a new instance! I skipped this answer at first but it really is clever!
                    – Nathan Goings
                    May 13 '16 at 17:56











                    13














                    There are certain disadvantages to having all your workbooks opened in different windows. For one thing, if you write a formula in one workbook which references another, it will include the full file path of the other workbook. For another, copy/pasting from one workbook to another reduces the number of options available for the destination data, like keeping the column widths, etcetera. It's possible that for your purposes those things won't matter much, but basically if you experience any "weird" behavior when using multiple workbooks in multiple windows, you might try opening them in the same window to see if the weirdness goes away.



                    My preference is to leave the default behavior to open Excel workbooks in the same window, and when I want individual workbooks opened in different windows I right-click the file and select "Open in new window". In order to do that, I wrote this small utility. It's free. Feel free to install it.






                    share|improve this answer























                    • Cool! Thanks for the utility~
                      – Leftium
                      Oct 8 '10 at 21:46










                    • I don't think your utility, as simple as it seems, would work if I'm opening Excel files from Outlook, right? Assuming the answer is "correct", then what would be REALLY nice is to have files that normally open in Excel actually open in a "hidden" application that can then either open the file in a new instance or somehow detect (eg SHIFT key held down?) that I want to open in an existing instance, and then if there's more than one instance, ask me which one. If you can do that, I'd buy it (for a fair price).
                      – Michael Bray
                      Mar 27 '13 at 21:02










                    • You are correct: the utility will not work directly from Outlook. Your suggestion is interesting. But implementing it would make my utility way more invasive and resource intensive than I ever intended it to be.
                      – Nick Spreitzer
                      Mar 28 '13 at 2:57








                    • 1




                      And now there's a better option: Just update to Excel 2016. Not free, but cures your headache from 2013.
                      – TJJ
                      Mar 23 '17 at 10:10
















                    13














                    There are certain disadvantages to having all your workbooks opened in different windows. For one thing, if you write a formula in one workbook which references another, it will include the full file path of the other workbook. For another, copy/pasting from one workbook to another reduces the number of options available for the destination data, like keeping the column widths, etcetera. It's possible that for your purposes those things won't matter much, but basically if you experience any "weird" behavior when using multiple workbooks in multiple windows, you might try opening them in the same window to see if the weirdness goes away.



                    My preference is to leave the default behavior to open Excel workbooks in the same window, and when I want individual workbooks opened in different windows I right-click the file and select "Open in new window". In order to do that, I wrote this small utility. It's free. Feel free to install it.






                    share|improve this answer























                    • Cool! Thanks for the utility~
                      – Leftium
                      Oct 8 '10 at 21:46










                    • I don't think your utility, as simple as it seems, would work if I'm opening Excel files from Outlook, right? Assuming the answer is "correct", then what would be REALLY nice is to have files that normally open in Excel actually open in a "hidden" application that can then either open the file in a new instance or somehow detect (eg SHIFT key held down?) that I want to open in an existing instance, and then if there's more than one instance, ask me which one. If you can do that, I'd buy it (for a fair price).
                      – Michael Bray
                      Mar 27 '13 at 21:02










                    • You are correct: the utility will not work directly from Outlook. Your suggestion is interesting. But implementing it would make my utility way more invasive and resource intensive than I ever intended it to be.
                      – Nick Spreitzer
                      Mar 28 '13 at 2:57








                    • 1




                      And now there's a better option: Just update to Excel 2016. Not free, but cures your headache from 2013.
                      – TJJ
                      Mar 23 '17 at 10:10














                    13












                    13








                    13






                    There are certain disadvantages to having all your workbooks opened in different windows. For one thing, if you write a formula in one workbook which references another, it will include the full file path of the other workbook. For another, copy/pasting from one workbook to another reduces the number of options available for the destination data, like keeping the column widths, etcetera. It's possible that for your purposes those things won't matter much, but basically if you experience any "weird" behavior when using multiple workbooks in multiple windows, you might try opening them in the same window to see if the weirdness goes away.



                    My preference is to leave the default behavior to open Excel workbooks in the same window, and when I want individual workbooks opened in different windows I right-click the file and select "Open in new window". In order to do that, I wrote this small utility. It's free. Feel free to install it.






                    share|improve this answer














                    There are certain disadvantages to having all your workbooks opened in different windows. For one thing, if you write a formula in one workbook which references another, it will include the full file path of the other workbook. For another, copy/pasting from one workbook to another reduces the number of options available for the destination data, like keeping the column widths, etcetera. It's possible that for your purposes those things won't matter much, but basically if you experience any "weird" behavior when using multiple workbooks in multiple windows, you might try opening them in the same window to see if the weirdness goes away.



                    My preference is to leave the default behavior to open Excel workbooks in the same window, and when I want individual workbooks opened in different windows I right-click the file and select "Open in new window". In order to do that, I wrote this small utility. It's free. Feel free to install it.







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited May 26 '16 at 14:53

























                    answered Oct 8 '10 at 20:24









                    Nick Spreitzer

                    4191411




                    4191411












                    • Cool! Thanks for the utility~
                      – Leftium
                      Oct 8 '10 at 21:46










                    • I don't think your utility, as simple as it seems, would work if I'm opening Excel files from Outlook, right? Assuming the answer is "correct", then what would be REALLY nice is to have files that normally open in Excel actually open in a "hidden" application that can then either open the file in a new instance or somehow detect (eg SHIFT key held down?) that I want to open in an existing instance, and then if there's more than one instance, ask me which one. If you can do that, I'd buy it (for a fair price).
                      – Michael Bray
                      Mar 27 '13 at 21:02










                    • You are correct: the utility will not work directly from Outlook. Your suggestion is interesting. But implementing it would make my utility way more invasive and resource intensive than I ever intended it to be.
                      – Nick Spreitzer
                      Mar 28 '13 at 2:57








                    • 1




                      And now there's a better option: Just update to Excel 2016. Not free, but cures your headache from 2013.
                      – TJJ
                      Mar 23 '17 at 10:10


















                    • Cool! Thanks for the utility~
                      – Leftium
                      Oct 8 '10 at 21:46










                    • I don't think your utility, as simple as it seems, would work if I'm opening Excel files from Outlook, right? Assuming the answer is "correct", then what would be REALLY nice is to have files that normally open in Excel actually open in a "hidden" application that can then either open the file in a new instance or somehow detect (eg SHIFT key held down?) that I want to open in an existing instance, and then if there's more than one instance, ask me which one. If you can do that, I'd buy it (for a fair price).
                      – Michael Bray
                      Mar 27 '13 at 21:02










                    • You are correct: the utility will not work directly from Outlook. Your suggestion is interesting. But implementing it would make my utility way more invasive and resource intensive than I ever intended it to be.
                      – Nick Spreitzer
                      Mar 28 '13 at 2:57








                    • 1




                      And now there's a better option: Just update to Excel 2016. Not free, but cures your headache from 2013.
                      – TJJ
                      Mar 23 '17 at 10:10
















                    Cool! Thanks for the utility~
                    – Leftium
                    Oct 8 '10 at 21:46




                    Cool! Thanks for the utility~
                    – Leftium
                    Oct 8 '10 at 21:46












                    I don't think your utility, as simple as it seems, would work if I'm opening Excel files from Outlook, right? Assuming the answer is "correct", then what would be REALLY nice is to have files that normally open in Excel actually open in a "hidden" application that can then either open the file in a new instance or somehow detect (eg SHIFT key held down?) that I want to open in an existing instance, and then if there's more than one instance, ask me which one. If you can do that, I'd buy it (for a fair price).
                    – Michael Bray
                    Mar 27 '13 at 21:02




                    I don't think your utility, as simple as it seems, would work if I'm opening Excel files from Outlook, right? Assuming the answer is "correct", then what would be REALLY nice is to have files that normally open in Excel actually open in a "hidden" application that can then either open the file in a new instance or somehow detect (eg SHIFT key held down?) that I want to open in an existing instance, and then if there's more than one instance, ask me which one. If you can do that, I'd buy it (for a fair price).
                    – Michael Bray
                    Mar 27 '13 at 21:02












                    You are correct: the utility will not work directly from Outlook. Your suggestion is interesting. But implementing it would make my utility way more invasive and resource intensive than I ever intended it to be.
                    – Nick Spreitzer
                    Mar 28 '13 at 2:57






                    You are correct: the utility will not work directly from Outlook. Your suggestion is interesting. But implementing it would make my utility way more invasive and resource intensive than I ever intended it to be.
                    – Nick Spreitzer
                    Mar 28 '13 at 2:57






                    1




                    1




                    And now there's a better option: Just update to Excel 2016. Not free, but cures your headache from 2013.
                    – TJJ
                    Mar 23 '17 at 10:10




                    And now there's a better option: Just update to Excel 2016. Not free, but cures your headache from 2013.
                    – TJJ
                    Mar 23 '17 at 10:10











                    6














                    Excel 2007: If you have access to edit your windows registry, here are a few registry files that add the option to open in a new instance (either by default or not) when you right-click on your files so you can use both functionalities.



                    There is a .reg file to 'uninstall' it as well. Tried and tested in excel 2007 (32-bits windows). I believe the technique is the same as in hyperslug's answer: DDE or not.






                    share|improve this answer





















                    • Now that's much better! I just had to add "(x86)" to the paths in the registry file since I run on 64bit.
                      – David Schmitt
                      Jan 25 '10 at 14:56










                    • Too bad, the zip file containing the scripts referred in that post is now lost...
                      – Antonio
                      Oct 1 '15 at 19:30






                    • 1




                      @Antonio I seem to have them still lying around, but it's missing one (to remote it from context menu) and I have not tested it on newer excel versions, so use at your own risk. mega.nz/#!sANxXZiS!DM_DsD6gqiHBEUhCW7Q_7DMNy0SNHrwk8Xi4l45iVO4
                      – mtone
                      Oct 1 '15 at 19:32


















                    6














                    Excel 2007: If you have access to edit your windows registry, here are a few registry files that add the option to open in a new instance (either by default or not) when you right-click on your files so you can use both functionalities.



                    There is a .reg file to 'uninstall' it as well. Tried and tested in excel 2007 (32-bits windows). I believe the technique is the same as in hyperslug's answer: DDE or not.






                    share|improve this answer





















                    • Now that's much better! I just had to add "(x86)" to the paths in the registry file since I run on 64bit.
                      – David Schmitt
                      Jan 25 '10 at 14:56










                    • Too bad, the zip file containing the scripts referred in that post is now lost...
                      – Antonio
                      Oct 1 '15 at 19:30






                    • 1




                      @Antonio I seem to have them still lying around, but it's missing one (to remote it from context menu) and I have not tested it on newer excel versions, so use at your own risk. mega.nz/#!sANxXZiS!DM_DsD6gqiHBEUhCW7Q_7DMNy0SNHrwk8Xi4l45iVO4
                      – mtone
                      Oct 1 '15 at 19:32
















                    6












                    6








                    6






                    Excel 2007: If you have access to edit your windows registry, here are a few registry files that add the option to open in a new instance (either by default or not) when you right-click on your files so you can use both functionalities.



                    There is a .reg file to 'uninstall' it as well. Tried and tested in excel 2007 (32-bits windows). I believe the technique is the same as in hyperslug's answer: DDE or not.






                    share|improve this answer












                    Excel 2007: If you have access to edit your windows registry, here are a few registry files that add the option to open in a new instance (either by default or not) when you right-click on your files so you can use both functionalities.



                    There is a .reg file to 'uninstall' it as well. Tried and tested in excel 2007 (32-bits windows). I believe the technique is the same as in hyperslug's answer: DDE or not.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Jan 25 '10 at 14:30









                    mtone

                    10.8k53659




                    10.8k53659












                    • Now that's much better! I just had to add "(x86)" to the paths in the registry file since I run on 64bit.
                      – David Schmitt
                      Jan 25 '10 at 14:56










                    • Too bad, the zip file containing the scripts referred in that post is now lost...
                      – Antonio
                      Oct 1 '15 at 19:30






                    • 1




                      @Antonio I seem to have them still lying around, but it's missing one (to remote it from context menu) and I have not tested it on newer excel versions, so use at your own risk. mega.nz/#!sANxXZiS!DM_DsD6gqiHBEUhCW7Q_7DMNy0SNHrwk8Xi4l45iVO4
                      – mtone
                      Oct 1 '15 at 19:32




















                    • Now that's much better! I just had to add "(x86)" to the paths in the registry file since I run on 64bit.
                      – David Schmitt
                      Jan 25 '10 at 14:56










                    • Too bad, the zip file containing the scripts referred in that post is now lost...
                      – Antonio
                      Oct 1 '15 at 19:30






                    • 1




                      @Antonio I seem to have them still lying around, but it's missing one (to remote it from context menu) and I have not tested it on newer excel versions, so use at your own risk. mega.nz/#!sANxXZiS!DM_DsD6gqiHBEUhCW7Q_7DMNy0SNHrwk8Xi4l45iVO4
                      – mtone
                      Oct 1 '15 at 19:32


















                    Now that's much better! I just had to add "(x86)" to the paths in the registry file since I run on 64bit.
                    – David Schmitt
                    Jan 25 '10 at 14:56




                    Now that's much better! I just had to add "(x86)" to the paths in the registry file since I run on 64bit.
                    – David Schmitt
                    Jan 25 '10 at 14:56












                    Too bad, the zip file containing the scripts referred in that post is now lost...
                    – Antonio
                    Oct 1 '15 at 19:30




                    Too bad, the zip file containing the scripts referred in that post is now lost...
                    – Antonio
                    Oct 1 '15 at 19:30




                    1




                    1




                    @Antonio I seem to have them still lying around, but it's missing one (to remote it from context menu) and I have not tested it on newer excel versions, so use at your own risk. mega.nz/#!sANxXZiS!DM_DsD6gqiHBEUhCW7Q_7DMNy0SNHrwk8Xi4l45iVO4
                    – mtone
                    Oct 1 '15 at 19:32






                    @Antonio I seem to have them still lying around, but it's missing one (to remote it from context menu) and I have not tested it on newer excel versions, so use at your own risk. mega.nz/#!sANxXZiS!DM_DsD6gqiHBEUhCW7Q_7DMNy0SNHrwk8Xi4l45iVO4
                    – mtone
                    Oct 1 '15 at 19:32













                    6














                    I followed the guide published here.



                    In short:




                    1. Open regedit (win+R, regedit)

                    2. Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.Sheet.12/shell/Open/command

                    3. In the tab on the right:


                      • Right click on (Default), select Modify..., append a space followed by "%1" (including quotes)

                      • Rename command into command2



                    4. In the tab on the left:


                      • Just below the command folder (whose name is left untouched),
                        Rename ddeexec into ddeexec2



                    5. Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.Sheet.8/shell/Open/command

                    6. Repeat step 3 and 4

                    7. If you want this to be valid also for csv files,
                      Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.CSV/shell/Open/command

                    8. Repeat step 3 and 4 (or just repeat step 6 :) )


                    This worked for Microsoft Excel 2007. In case of update you might have to repeat these steps.



                    I personally liked this manual approach because is reversible. With respect to some of the other proposed solutions, I love the fact that you can so easily open 2 files with the same name.






                    share|improve this answer





















                    • I would say this is the most effective method. Works in Excel 2010. Thanks!
                      – Bill Stidham
                      Feb 17 '17 at 16:16










                    • Even more effective (because it doesn't destroy copy&paste functionality): Update to Excel 2016.
                      – TJJ
                      Mar 23 '17 at 10:11
















                    6














                    I followed the guide published here.



                    In short:




                    1. Open regedit (win+R, regedit)

                    2. Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.Sheet.12/shell/Open/command

                    3. In the tab on the right:


                      • Right click on (Default), select Modify..., append a space followed by "%1" (including quotes)

                      • Rename command into command2



                    4. In the tab on the left:


                      • Just below the command folder (whose name is left untouched),
                        Rename ddeexec into ddeexec2



                    5. Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.Sheet.8/shell/Open/command

                    6. Repeat step 3 and 4

                    7. If you want this to be valid also for csv files,
                      Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.CSV/shell/Open/command

                    8. Repeat step 3 and 4 (or just repeat step 6 :) )


                    This worked for Microsoft Excel 2007. In case of update you might have to repeat these steps.



                    I personally liked this manual approach because is reversible. With respect to some of the other proposed solutions, I love the fact that you can so easily open 2 files with the same name.






                    share|improve this answer





















                    • I would say this is the most effective method. Works in Excel 2010. Thanks!
                      – Bill Stidham
                      Feb 17 '17 at 16:16










                    • Even more effective (because it doesn't destroy copy&paste functionality): Update to Excel 2016.
                      – TJJ
                      Mar 23 '17 at 10:11














                    6












                    6








                    6






                    I followed the guide published here.



                    In short:




                    1. Open regedit (win+R, regedit)

                    2. Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.Sheet.12/shell/Open/command

                    3. In the tab on the right:


                      • Right click on (Default), select Modify..., append a space followed by "%1" (including quotes)

                      • Rename command into command2



                    4. In the tab on the left:


                      • Just below the command folder (whose name is left untouched),
                        Rename ddeexec into ddeexec2



                    5. Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.Sheet.8/shell/Open/command

                    6. Repeat step 3 and 4

                    7. If you want this to be valid also for csv files,
                      Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.CSV/shell/Open/command

                    8. Repeat step 3 and 4 (or just repeat step 6 :) )


                    This worked for Microsoft Excel 2007. In case of update you might have to repeat these steps.



                    I personally liked this manual approach because is reversible. With respect to some of the other proposed solutions, I love the fact that you can so easily open 2 files with the same name.






                    share|improve this answer












                    I followed the guide published here.



                    In short:




                    1. Open regedit (win+R, regedit)

                    2. Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.Sheet.12/shell/Open/command

                    3. In the tab on the right:


                      • Right click on (Default), select Modify..., append a space followed by "%1" (including quotes)

                      • Rename command into command2



                    4. In the tab on the left:


                      • Just below the command folder (whose name is left untouched),
                        Rename ddeexec into ddeexec2



                    5. Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.Sheet.8/shell/Open/command

                    6. Repeat step 3 and 4

                    7. If you want this to be valid also for csv files,
                      Browse to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Excel.CSV/shell/Open/command

                    8. Repeat step 3 and 4 (or just repeat step 6 :) )


                    This worked for Microsoft Excel 2007. In case of update you might have to repeat these steps.



                    I personally liked this manual approach because is reversible. With respect to some of the other proposed solutions, I love the fact that you can so easily open 2 files with the same name.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Oct 1 '15 at 19:24









                    Antonio

                    2231419




                    2231419












                    • I would say this is the most effective method. Works in Excel 2010. Thanks!
                      – Bill Stidham
                      Feb 17 '17 at 16:16










                    • Even more effective (because it doesn't destroy copy&paste functionality): Update to Excel 2016.
                      – TJJ
                      Mar 23 '17 at 10:11


















                    • I would say this is the most effective method. Works in Excel 2010. Thanks!
                      – Bill Stidham
                      Feb 17 '17 at 16:16










                    • Even more effective (because it doesn't destroy copy&paste functionality): Update to Excel 2016.
                      – TJJ
                      Mar 23 '17 at 10:11
















                    I would say this is the most effective method. Works in Excel 2010. Thanks!
                    – Bill Stidham
                    Feb 17 '17 at 16:16




                    I would say this is the most effective method. Works in Excel 2010. Thanks!
                    – Bill Stidham
                    Feb 17 '17 at 16:16












                    Even more effective (because it doesn't destroy copy&paste functionality): Update to Excel 2016.
                    – TJJ
                    Mar 23 '17 at 10:11




                    Even more effective (because it doesn't destroy copy&paste functionality): Update to Excel 2016.
                    – TJJ
                    Mar 23 '17 at 10:11











                    5














                    Since hyperslug's answer didn't work for me, I followed "Option B" from his link and now open a new (empty) Excel from the start menu and drag'n'drop the file I want to open into the new window.






                    share|improve this answer





















                    • Simple, but works - thanks, David. Unbelievable that something this simple needs to be made so difficult and counter-intuitive.
                      – Amos M. Carpenter
                      Aug 7 '15 at 3:41
















                    5














                    Since hyperslug's answer didn't work for me, I followed "Option B" from his link and now open a new (empty) Excel from the start menu and drag'n'drop the file I want to open into the new window.






                    share|improve this answer





















                    • Simple, but works - thanks, David. Unbelievable that something this simple needs to be made so difficult and counter-intuitive.
                      – Amos M. Carpenter
                      Aug 7 '15 at 3:41














                    5












                    5








                    5






                    Since hyperslug's answer didn't work for me, I followed "Option B" from his link and now open a new (empty) Excel from the start menu and drag'n'drop the file I want to open into the new window.






                    share|improve this answer












                    Since hyperslug's answer didn't work for me, I followed "Option B" from his link and now open a new (empty) Excel from the start menu and drag'n'drop the file I want to open into the new window.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Jan 25 '10 at 14:16









                    David Schmitt

                    36839




                    36839












                    • Simple, but works - thanks, David. Unbelievable that something this simple needs to be made so difficult and counter-intuitive.
                      – Amos M. Carpenter
                      Aug 7 '15 at 3:41


















                    • Simple, but works - thanks, David. Unbelievable that something this simple needs to be made so difficult and counter-intuitive.
                      – Amos M. Carpenter
                      Aug 7 '15 at 3:41
















                    Simple, but works - thanks, David. Unbelievable that something this simple needs to be made so difficult and counter-intuitive.
                    – Amos M. Carpenter
                    Aug 7 '15 at 3:41




                    Simple, but works - thanks, David. Unbelievable that something this simple needs to be made so difficult and counter-intuitive.
                    – Amos M. Carpenter
                    Aug 7 '15 at 3:41











                    4














                    In Office 2013 they solved this issue. Each workbook is in its own window in Office 2013.






                    share|improve this answer

















                    • 2




                      Each book has its own window, but they all still belong to the same instance of Excel (which can be highly confusing when you have code that wants to work with multiple opened workbooks).
                      – GSerg
                      Nov 6 '13 at 11:27
















                    4














                    In Office 2013 they solved this issue. Each workbook is in its own window in Office 2013.






                    share|improve this answer

















                    • 2




                      Each book has its own window, but they all still belong to the same instance of Excel (which can be highly confusing when you have code that wants to work with multiple opened workbooks).
                      – GSerg
                      Nov 6 '13 at 11:27














                    4












                    4








                    4






                    In Office 2013 they solved this issue. Each workbook is in its own window in Office 2013.






                    share|improve this answer












                    In Office 2013 they solved this issue. Each workbook is in its own window in Office 2013.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Aug 14 '13 at 18:04









                    Tarnay Kálmán

                    2,06052130




                    2,06052130








                    • 2




                      Each book has its own window, but they all still belong to the same instance of Excel (which can be highly confusing when you have code that wants to work with multiple opened workbooks).
                      – GSerg
                      Nov 6 '13 at 11:27














                    • 2




                      Each book has its own window, but they all still belong to the same instance of Excel (which can be highly confusing when you have code that wants to work with multiple opened workbooks).
                      – GSerg
                      Nov 6 '13 at 11:27








                    2




                    2




                    Each book has its own window, but they all still belong to the same instance of Excel (which can be highly confusing when you have code that wants to work with multiple opened workbooks).
                    – GSerg
                    Nov 6 '13 at 11:27




                    Each book has its own window, but they all still belong to the same instance of Excel (which can be highly confusing when you have code that wants to work with multiple opened workbooks).
                    – GSerg
                    Nov 6 '13 at 11:27











                    3














                    Here's another set of registry files I (which I created) to solve the same problem: http://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/Office_Productivity/Office_Suites/MS_Office/Excel/A_1007-Option-to-open-excel-2007-documents-in-a-new-instance.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+30+excel+instanc+new



                    Gives a right click menu to open excel files in a new instance, and optionally makes it the default behavior, but still leaves the option to open it in an existing instance if the workbooks need cutting and pasting with formatting between them.






                    share|improve this answer


























                      3














                      Here's another set of registry files I (which I created) to solve the same problem: http://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/Office_Productivity/Office_Suites/MS_Office/Excel/A_1007-Option-to-open-excel-2007-documents-in-a-new-instance.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+30+excel+instanc+new



                      Gives a right click menu to open excel files in a new instance, and optionally makes it the default behavior, but still leaves the option to open it in an existing instance if the workbooks need cutting and pasting with formatting between them.






                      share|improve this answer
























                        3












                        3








                        3






                        Here's another set of registry files I (which I created) to solve the same problem: http://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/Office_Productivity/Office_Suites/MS_Office/Excel/A_1007-Option-to-open-excel-2007-documents-in-a-new-instance.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+30+excel+instanc+new



                        Gives a right click menu to open excel files in a new instance, and optionally makes it the default behavior, but still leaves the option to open it in an existing instance if the workbooks need cutting and pasting with formatting between them.






                        share|improve this answer












                        Here's another set of registry files I (which I created) to solve the same problem: http://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/Office_Productivity/Office_Suites/MS_Office/Excel/A_1007-Option-to-open-excel-2007-documents-in-a-new-instance.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+30+excel+instanc+new



                        Gives a right click menu to open excel files in a new instance, and optionally makes it the default behavior, but still leaves the option to open it in an existing instance if the workbooks need cutting and pasting with formatting between them.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered Apr 22 '11 at 3:50









                        Alain

                        53821221




                        53821221























                            2














                            finally one regedit instruction that works for my windows 7 and excel 2010




                            To launch multiple instances of Excel, we change it by not using DDE
                            to open the file. Check the "Ignore other applications that use
                            Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)" box in Excel -> Excel Options -> Advanced



                            If this does not work,for Windows Vista and Windows 7, we need to edit
                            the registry to remove DDE completely.
                            =============== Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems
                            might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make
                            sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back
                            up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the
                            registry if a problem occurs.




                            1. Click Start, in the Search box, type regedit and press Enter.

                            2. Locate the registry subkey: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.14shellOpen

                            3. Delete the ddeexec subkey.

                            4. Click on the command subkey, and then double-click the Default value from the right pane. Replace the value data with: "C:Program
                              FilesMicrosoft OfficeOFFICE14EXCEL.EXE" "%1" Double-click the
                              Command string value, replace its data with:
                              (f'^Vn-}f(ZXfeAR6.jiEXCELFiles>!De@]Vz(r=f1lfq?R& "%1"




                            Thank you to sally tang , on this forum
                            https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/ee76d08d-3306-406d-894c-16fd3cb824d9/each-workbook-in-separate-windows-excel-2010-windows-7?forum=excel






                            share|improve this answer





















                            • This sounds like basically the same method as detailed here: dottech.org/26491/…. Repeat on the other various Excel.X entries to get all the possible files that Excel likes to open (CSV, xls, etc.)
                              – Ben
                              Jun 19 '15 at 16:36










                            • This isn't working for me. I only get a message saying "[filename].xlsx The parameter is incorrect."
                              – zarose
                              Oct 20 '17 at 16:19
















                            2














                            finally one regedit instruction that works for my windows 7 and excel 2010




                            To launch multiple instances of Excel, we change it by not using DDE
                            to open the file. Check the "Ignore other applications that use
                            Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)" box in Excel -> Excel Options -> Advanced



                            If this does not work,for Windows Vista and Windows 7, we need to edit
                            the registry to remove DDE completely.
                            =============== Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems
                            might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make
                            sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back
                            up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the
                            registry if a problem occurs.




                            1. Click Start, in the Search box, type regedit and press Enter.

                            2. Locate the registry subkey: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.14shellOpen

                            3. Delete the ddeexec subkey.

                            4. Click on the command subkey, and then double-click the Default value from the right pane. Replace the value data with: "C:Program
                              FilesMicrosoft OfficeOFFICE14EXCEL.EXE" "%1" Double-click the
                              Command string value, replace its data with:
                              (f'^Vn-}f(ZXfeAR6.jiEXCELFiles>!De@]Vz(r=f1lfq?R& "%1"




                            Thank you to sally tang , on this forum
                            https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/ee76d08d-3306-406d-894c-16fd3cb824d9/each-workbook-in-separate-windows-excel-2010-windows-7?forum=excel






                            share|improve this answer





















                            • This sounds like basically the same method as detailed here: dottech.org/26491/…. Repeat on the other various Excel.X entries to get all the possible files that Excel likes to open (CSV, xls, etc.)
                              – Ben
                              Jun 19 '15 at 16:36










                            • This isn't working for me. I only get a message saying "[filename].xlsx The parameter is incorrect."
                              – zarose
                              Oct 20 '17 at 16:19














                            2












                            2








                            2






                            finally one regedit instruction that works for my windows 7 and excel 2010




                            To launch multiple instances of Excel, we change it by not using DDE
                            to open the file. Check the "Ignore other applications that use
                            Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)" box in Excel -> Excel Options -> Advanced



                            If this does not work,for Windows Vista and Windows 7, we need to edit
                            the registry to remove DDE completely.
                            =============== Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems
                            might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make
                            sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back
                            up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the
                            registry if a problem occurs.




                            1. Click Start, in the Search box, type regedit and press Enter.

                            2. Locate the registry subkey: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.14shellOpen

                            3. Delete the ddeexec subkey.

                            4. Click on the command subkey, and then double-click the Default value from the right pane. Replace the value data with: "C:Program
                              FilesMicrosoft OfficeOFFICE14EXCEL.EXE" "%1" Double-click the
                              Command string value, replace its data with:
                              (f'^Vn-}f(ZXfeAR6.jiEXCELFiles>!De@]Vz(r=f1lfq?R& "%1"




                            Thank you to sally tang , on this forum
                            https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/ee76d08d-3306-406d-894c-16fd3cb824d9/each-workbook-in-separate-windows-excel-2010-windows-7?forum=excel






                            share|improve this answer












                            finally one regedit instruction that works for my windows 7 and excel 2010




                            To launch multiple instances of Excel, we change it by not using DDE
                            to open the file. Check the "Ignore other applications that use
                            Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)" box in Excel -> Excel Options -> Advanced



                            If this does not work,for Windows Vista and Windows 7, we need to edit
                            the registry to remove DDE completely.
                            =============== Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems
                            might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make
                            sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back
                            up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the
                            registry if a problem occurs.




                            1. Click Start, in the Search box, type regedit and press Enter.

                            2. Locate the registry subkey: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.14shellOpen

                            3. Delete the ddeexec subkey.

                            4. Click on the command subkey, and then double-click the Default value from the right pane. Replace the value data with: "C:Program
                              FilesMicrosoft OfficeOFFICE14EXCEL.EXE" "%1" Double-click the
                              Command string value, replace its data with:
                              (f'^Vn-}f(ZXfeAR6.jiEXCELFiles>!De@]Vz(r=f1lfq?R& "%1"




                            Thank you to sally tang , on this forum
                            https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/ee76d08d-3306-406d-894c-16fd3cb824d9/each-workbook-in-separate-windows-excel-2010-windows-7?forum=excel







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered Mar 27 '15 at 22:06









                            user2635566

                            142110




                            142110












                            • This sounds like basically the same method as detailed here: dottech.org/26491/…. Repeat on the other various Excel.X entries to get all the possible files that Excel likes to open (CSV, xls, etc.)
                              – Ben
                              Jun 19 '15 at 16:36










                            • This isn't working for me. I only get a message saying "[filename].xlsx The parameter is incorrect."
                              – zarose
                              Oct 20 '17 at 16:19


















                            • This sounds like basically the same method as detailed here: dottech.org/26491/…. Repeat on the other various Excel.X entries to get all the possible files that Excel likes to open (CSV, xls, etc.)
                              – Ben
                              Jun 19 '15 at 16:36










                            • This isn't working for me. I only get a message saying "[filename].xlsx The parameter is incorrect."
                              – zarose
                              Oct 20 '17 at 16:19
















                            This sounds like basically the same method as detailed here: dottech.org/26491/…. Repeat on the other various Excel.X entries to get all the possible files that Excel likes to open (CSV, xls, etc.)
                            – Ben
                            Jun 19 '15 at 16:36




                            This sounds like basically the same method as detailed here: dottech.org/26491/…. Repeat on the other various Excel.X entries to get all the possible files that Excel likes to open (CSV, xls, etc.)
                            – Ben
                            Jun 19 '15 at 16:36












                            This isn't working for me. I only get a message saying "[filename].xlsx The parameter is incorrect."
                            – zarose
                            Oct 20 '17 at 16:19




                            This isn't working for me. I only get a message saying "[filename].xlsx The parameter is incorrect."
                            – zarose
                            Oct 20 '17 at 16:19











                            2














                            Another solution is to merge a .reg file with the following content into Window's registry (change the path to EXCEL.EXE according to the version and installation path you have and add any additional file types you want to remap (Excel.Sheet.12 is for .xlsx files and Excel.Sheet.8 is for .xls files)):



                            (You may want to back up your existing HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12 and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8 branches (via regedit.exe's export) in case you want to revert this change.



                            Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00


                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shell]
                            @="Open"

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEdit]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEditcommand]
                            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                            command=-

                            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEditddeexec]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpen]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpencommand]
                            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                            command=-

                            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenddeexec]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnly]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnlycommand]
                            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" /r "%1""
                            command=-

                            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnlyddeexec]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtected]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtectedcommand]
                            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                            command=-

                            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtectedddeexec]




                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shell]
                            @="Open"

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEdit]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEditcommand]
                            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                            command=-

                            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEditddeexec]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpen]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpencommand]
                            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                            command=-

                            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenddeexec]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnly]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnlycommand]
                            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" /r "%1""
                            command=-

                            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnlyddeexec]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtected]

                            [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtectedcommand]
                            @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                            command=-

                            [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtectedddeexec]


                            If, after applying this file, you want to open another file in the same window, use the file menu to open another file and it will open in the current window.






                            share|improve this answer


























                              2














                              Another solution is to merge a .reg file with the following content into Window's registry (change the path to EXCEL.EXE according to the version and installation path you have and add any additional file types you want to remap (Excel.Sheet.12 is for .xlsx files and Excel.Sheet.8 is for .xls files)):



                              (You may want to back up your existing HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12 and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8 branches (via regedit.exe's export) in case you want to revert this change.



                              Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00


                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shell]
                              @="Open"

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEdit]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEditcommand]
                              @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                              command=-

                              [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEditddeexec]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpen]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpencommand]
                              @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                              command=-

                              [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenddeexec]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnly]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnlycommand]
                              @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" /r "%1""
                              command=-

                              [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnlyddeexec]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtected]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtectedcommand]
                              @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                              command=-

                              [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtectedddeexec]




                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shell]
                              @="Open"

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEdit]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEditcommand]
                              @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                              command=-

                              [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEditddeexec]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpen]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpencommand]
                              @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                              command=-

                              [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenddeexec]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnly]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnlycommand]
                              @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" /r "%1""
                              command=-

                              [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnlyddeexec]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtected]

                              [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtectedcommand]
                              @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                              command=-

                              [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtectedddeexec]


                              If, after applying this file, you want to open another file in the same window, use the file menu to open another file and it will open in the current window.






                              share|improve this answer
























                                2












                                2








                                2






                                Another solution is to merge a .reg file with the following content into Window's registry (change the path to EXCEL.EXE according to the version and installation path you have and add any additional file types you want to remap (Excel.Sheet.12 is for .xlsx files and Excel.Sheet.8 is for .xls files)):



                                (You may want to back up your existing HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12 and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8 branches (via regedit.exe's export) in case you want to revert this change.



                                Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00


                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shell]
                                @="Open"

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEdit]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEditcommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEditddeexec]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpen]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpencommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenddeexec]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnly]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnlycommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" /r "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnlyddeexec]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtected]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtectedcommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtectedddeexec]




                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shell]
                                @="Open"

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEdit]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEditcommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEditddeexec]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpen]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpencommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenddeexec]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnly]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnlycommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" /r "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnlyddeexec]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtected]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtectedcommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtectedddeexec]


                                If, after applying this file, you want to open another file in the same window, use the file menu to open another file and it will open in the current window.






                                share|improve this answer












                                Another solution is to merge a .reg file with the following content into Window's registry (change the path to EXCEL.EXE according to the version and installation path you have and add any additional file types you want to remap (Excel.Sheet.12 is for .xlsx files and Excel.Sheet.8 is for .xls files)):



                                (You may want to back up your existing HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12 and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8 branches (via regedit.exe's export) in case you want to revert this change.



                                Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00


                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shell]
                                @="Open"

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEdit]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEditcommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellEditddeexec]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpen]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpencommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenddeexec]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnly]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnlycommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" /r "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellOpenAsReadOnlyddeexec]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtected]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtectedcommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12shellViewProtectedddeexec]




                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shell]
                                @="Open"

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEdit]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEditcommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellEditddeexec]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpen]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpencommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenddeexec]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnly]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnlycommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" /r "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellOpenAsReadOnlyddeexec]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtected]

                                [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtectedcommand]
                                @=""C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1""
                                command=-

                                [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8shellViewProtectedddeexec]


                                If, after applying this file, you want to open another file in the same window, use the file menu to open another file and it will open in the current window.







                                share|improve this answer












                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer










                                answered Jul 28 '15 at 10:34









                                Danny

                                1212




                                1212























                                    2














                                    Microsoft has patched this already. You can download the patch here:



                                    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2636670/how-to-open-excel-files-in-separate-windows-in-windows-7



                                    Running the patch does everything being said in the "Let me fix it myself" section.






                                    share|improve this answer























                                    • This should be the accepted answer.
                                      – Öskå
                                      Feb 21 '17 at 7:40










                                    • No, it should not. Because it doesn't fix the copy&paste problem between the two instances. There is no real fix for the problem. Only one solution: Update to Excel 2016.
                                      – TJJ
                                      Mar 23 '17 at 10:14










                                    • Copy paste works. It will obviously not paste relative links to data. BTW, Office has tendency to break the stuff over time so patch this patch again.
                                      – lockhrt
                                      Mar 24 '17 at 12:12












                                    • I applied this patch, and it worked for a couple weeks. Then it stopped working, and I had to apply the patch again.
                                      – pacoverflow
                                      Oct 6 '17 at 14:36
















                                    2














                                    Microsoft has patched this already. You can download the patch here:



                                    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2636670/how-to-open-excel-files-in-separate-windows-in-windows-7



                                    Running the patch does everything being said in the "Let me fix it myself" section.






                                    share|improve this answer























                                    • This should be the accepted answer.
                                      – Öskå
                                      Feb 21 '17 at 7:40










                                    • No, it should not. Because it doesn't fix the copy&paste problem between the two instances. There is no real fix for the problem. Only one solution: Update to Excel 2016.
                                      – TJJ
                                      Mar 23 '17 at 10:14










                                    • Copy paste works. It will obviously not paste relative links to data. BTW, Office has tendency to break the stuff over time so patch this patch again.
                                      – lockhrt
                                      Mar 24 '17 at 12:12












                                    • I applied this patch, and it worked for a couple weeks. Then it stopped working, and I had to apply the patch again.
                                      – pacoverflow
                                      Oct 6 '17 at 14:36














                                    2












                                    2








                                    2






                                    Microsoft has patched this already. You can download the patch here:



                                    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2636670/how-to-open-excel-files-in-separate-windows-in-windows-7



                                    Running the patch does everything being said in the "Let me fix it myself" section.






                                    share|improve this answer














                                    Microsoft has patched this already. You can download the patch here:



                                    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2636670/how-to-open-excel-files-in-separate-windows-in-windows-7



                                    Running the patch does everything being said in the "Let me fix it myself" section.







                                    share|improve this answer














                                    share|improve this answer



                                    share|improve this answer








                                    edited Feb 21 '17 at 12:41









                                    Öskå

                                    1054




                                    1054










                                    answered Aug 23 '16 at 8:03









                                    lockhrt

                                    291




                                    291












                                    • This should be the accepted answer.
                                      – Öskå
                                      Feb 21 '17 at 7:40










                                    • No, it should not. Because it doesn't fix the copy&paste problem between the two instances. There is no real fix for the problem. Only one solution: Update to Excel 2016.
                                      – TJJ
                                      Mar 23 '17 at 10:14










                                    • Copy paste works. It will obviously not paste relative links to data. BTW, Office has tendency to break the stuff over time so patch this patch again.
                                      – lockhrt
                                      Mar 24 '17 at 12:12












                                    • I applied this patch, and it worked for a couple weeks. Then it stopped working, and I had to apply the patch again.
                                      – pacoverflow
                                      Oct 6 '17 at 14:36


















                                    • This should be the accepted answer.
                                      – Öskå
                                      Feb 21 '17 at 7:40










                                    • No, it should not. Because it doesn't fix the copy&paste problem between the two instances. There is no real fix for the problem. Only one solution: Update to Excel 2016.
                                      – TJJ
                                      Mar 23 '17 at 10:14










                                    • Copy paste works. It will obviously not paste relative links to data. BTW, Office has tendency to break the stuff over time so patch this patch again.
                                      – lockhrt
                                      Mar 24 '17 at 12:12












                                    • I applied this patch, and it worked for a couple weeks. Then it stopped working, and I had to apply the patch again.
                                      – pacoverflow
                                      Oct 6 '17 at 14:36
















                                    This should be the accepted answer.
                                    – Öskå
                                    Feb 21 '17 at 7:40




                                    This should be the accepted answer.
                                    – Öskå
                                    Feb 21 '17 at 7:40












                                    No, it should not. Because it doesn't fix the copy&paste problem between the two instances. There is no real fix for the problem. Only one solution: Update to Excel 2016.
                                    – TJJ
                                    Mar 23 '17 at 10:14




                                    No, it should not. Because it doesn't fix the copy&paste problem between the two instances. There is no real fix for the problem. Only one solution: Update to Excel 2016.
                                    – TJJ
                                    Mar 23 '17 at 10:14












                                    Copy paste works. It will obviously not paste relative links to data. BTW, Office has tendency to break the stuff over time so patch this patch again.
                                    – lockhrt
                                    Mar 24 '17 at 12:12






                                    Copy paste works. It will obviously not paste relative links to data. BTW, Office has tendency to break the stuff over time so patch this patch again.
                                    – lockhrt
                                    Mar 24 '17 at 12:12














                                    I applied this patch, and it worked for a couple weeks. Then it stopped working, and I had to apply the patch again.
                                    – pacoverflow
                                    Oct 6 '17 at 14:36




                                    I applied this patch, and it worked for a couple weeks. Then it stopped working, and I had to apply the patch again.
                                    – pacoverflow
                                    Oct 6 '17 at 14:36











                                    1














                                    This thread is old, but the problem is persistent! Hyperslugs solution didn't work for me, but I found a nifty launcher application that middle-mans the opening of excel documents and forces new instances. It can be found here http://blog.thomascsherman.com/2010/06/opening-excel-files-in-new-processes-excel-launcher-helper-app/ . I hope this helps someone with this annoying problem.






                                    share|improve this answer


























                                      1














                                      This thread is old, but the problem is persistent! Hyperslugs solution didn't work for me, but I found a nifty launcher application that middle-mans the opening of excel documents and forces new instances. It can be found here http://blog.thomascsherman.com/2010/06/opening-excel-files-in-new-processes-excel-launcher-helper-app/ . I hope this helps someone with this annoying problem.






                                      share|improve this answer
























                                        1












                                        1








                                        1






                                        This thread is old, but the problem is persistent! Hyperslugs solution didn't work for me, but I found a nifty launcher application that middle-mans the opening of excel documents and forces new instances. It can be found here http://blog.thomascsherman.com/2010/06/opening-excel-files-in-new-processes-excel-launcher-helper-app/ . I hope this helps someone with this annoying problem.






                                        share|improve this answer












                                        This thread is old, but the problem is persistent! Hyperslugs solution didn't work for me, but I found a nifty launcher application that middle-mans the opening of excel documents and forces new instances. It can be found here http://blog.thomascsherman.com/2010/06/opening-excel-files-in-new-processes-excel-launcher-helper-app/ . I hope this helps someone with this annoying problem.







                                        share|improve this answer












                                        share|improve this answer



                                        share|improve this answer










                                        answered Feb 19 '13 at 17:43









                                        Bryan

                                        625723




                                        625723























                                            1














                                            I use Excel 2010, and wanted to open a new instance for the purpose of being able to easily switch between spreadsheets. I use Alt+Tab which doesn't work with excel's default settings. If this is the main reason you wish to open a new instance for each spreadsheet, it can be resolved by;




                                            1. Open Excel

                                            2. Open the File Menu

                                            3. Click 'Options'

                                            4. Click 'Advanced'

                                            5. Scroll down to 'Display' Section

                                            6. Check the "Show all windows in the Taskbar" box


                                            This makes it easier to switch between spreadsheets, but if you're looking to view two spreadsheets simultaneously (i.e. if you have multiple monitors) you will still have to open a new instance of excel and open the file from within that instance.






                                            share|improve this answer


























                                              1














                                              I use Excel 2010, and wanted to open a new instance for the purpose of being able to easily switch between spreadsheets. I use Alt+Tab which doesn't work with excel's default settings. If this is the main reason you wish to open a new instance for each spreadsheet, it can be resolved by;




                                              1. Open Excel

                                              2. Open the File Menu

                                              3. Click 'Options'

                                              4. Click 'Advanced'

                                              5. Scroll down to 'Display' Section

                                              6. Check the "Show all windows in the Taskbar" box


                                              This makes it easier to switch between spreadsheets, but if you're looking to view two spreadsheets simultaneously (i.e. if you have multiple monitors) you will still have to open a new instance of excel and open the file from within that instance.






                                              share|improve this answer
























                                                1












                                                1








                                                1






                                                I use Excel 2010, and wanted to open a new instance for the purpose of being able to easily switch between spreadsheets. I use Alt+Tab which doesn't work with excel's default settings. If this is the main reason you wish to open a new instance for each spreadsheet, it can be resolved by;




                                                1. Open Excel

                                                2. Open the File Menu

                                                3. Click 'Options'

                                                4. Click 'Advanced'

                                                5. Scroll down to 'Display' Section

                                                6. Check the "Show all windows in the Taskbar" box


                                                This makes it easier to switch between spreadsheets, but if you're looking to view two spreadsheets simultaneously (i.e. if you have multiple monitors) you will still have to open a new instance of excel and open the file from within that instance.






                                                share|improve this answer












                                                I use Excel 2010, and wanted to open a new instance for the purpose of being able to easily switch between spreadsheets. I use Alt+Tab which doesn't work with excel's default settings. If this is the main reason you wish to open a new instance for each spreadsheet, it can be resolved by;




                                                1. Open Excel

                                                2. Open the File Menu

                                                3. Click 'Options'

                                                4. Click 'Advanced'

                                                5. Scroll down to 'Display' Section

                                                6. Check the "Show all windows in the Taskbar" box


                                                This makes it easier to switch between spreadsheets, but if you're looking to view two spreadsheets simultaneously (i.e. if you have multiple monitors) you will still have to open a new instance of excel and open the file from within that instance.







                                                share|improve this answer












                                                share|improve this answer



                                                share|improve this answer










                                                answered Jan 10 '14 at 17:43









                                                MWies

                                                192




                                                192























                                                    0














                                                    Disabling DDE seems like the best option, but as others have pointed out, that causes Excel to open a blank window when you try to open a spreadsheet through Windows Explorer. If you usually open spreadsheet through Windows Explorer, I found that the best option is to re-associate the extensions and specify your own command.



                                                    To do that, open command prompt as an administrator and run the following commands (modifying the path to match your Office install):



                                                    C:WINDOWSsystem32>FTYPE XLSX.FILETYPE="C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficeOffice14Excel.exe" "%1"
                                                    C:WINDOWSsystem32>ASSOC .xlsx=XLSX.FILETYPE
                                                    C:WINDOWSsystem32>FTYPE XLSM.FILETYPE="C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficeOffice14Excel.exe" "%1"
                                                    C:WINDOWSsystem32>ASSOC .xlsm=XLSM.FILETYPE


                                                    This will cause a new window to open whenever you double-click an Excel file. It also fixes the behavior when you right-click the Excel icon and select a recent spreadsheet. However, it will not fix the behavior when you open a spreadsheet through the Open dialog in Excel -- those will still open in the same window.



                                                    NOTE: If you place the above commands in a batch file, you will need to use "%%1" in place of "%1".






                                                    share|improve this answer


























                                                      0














                                                      Disabling DDE seems like the best option, but as others have pointed out, that causes Excel to open a blank window when you try to open a spreadsheet through Windows Explorer. If you usually open spreadsheet through Windows Explorer, I found that the best option is to re-associate the extensions and specify your own command.



                                                      To do that, open command prompt as an administrator and run the following commands (modifying the path to match your Office install):



                                                      C:WINDOWSsystem32>FTYPE XLSX.FILETYPE="C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficeOffice14Excel.exe" "%1"
                                                      C:WINDOWSsystem32>ASSOC .xlsx=XLSX.FILETYPE
                                                      C:WINDOWSsystem32>FTYPE XLSM.FILETYPE="C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficeOffice14Excel.exe" "%1"
                                                      C:WINDOWSsystem32>ASSOC .xlsm=XLSM.FILETYPE


                                                      This will cause a new window to open whenever you double-click an Excel file. It also fixes the behavior when you right-click the Excel icon and select a recent spreadsheet. However, it will not fix the behavior when you open a spreadsheet through the Open dialog in Excel -- those will still open in the same window.



                                                      NOTE: If you place the above commands in a batch file, you will need to use "%%1" in place of "%1".






                                                      share|improve this answer
























                                                        0












                                                        0








                                                        0






                                                        Disabling DDE seems like the best option, but as others have pointed out, that causes Excel to open a blank window when you try to open a spreadsheet through Windows Explorer. If you usually open spreadsheet through Windows Explorer, I found that the best option is to re-associate the extensions and specify your own command.



                                                        To do that, open command prompt as an administrator and run the following commands (modifying the path to match your Office install):



                                                        C:WINDOWSsystem32>FTYPE XLSX.FILETYPE="C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficeOffice14Excel.exe" "%1"
                                                        C:WINDOWSsystem32>ASSOC .xlsx=XLSX.FILETYPE
                                                        C:WINDOWSsystem32>FTYPE XLSM.FILETYPE="C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficeOffice14Excel.exe" "%1"
                                                        C:WINDOWSsystem32>ASSOC .xlsm=XLSM.FILETYPE


                                                        This will cause a new window to open whenever you double-click an Excel file. It also fixes the behavior when you right-click the Excel icon and select a recent spreadsheet. However, it will not fix the behavior when you open a spreadsheet through the Open dialog in Excel -- those will still open in the same window.



                                                        NOTE: If you place the above commands in a batch file, you will need to use "%%1" in place of "%1".






                                                        share|improve this answer












                                                        Disabling DDE seems like the best option, but as others have pointed out, that causes Excel to open a blank window when you try to open a spreadsheet through Windows Explorer. If you usually open spreadsheet through Windows Explorer, I found that the best option is to re-associate the extensions and specify your own command.



                                                        To do that, open command prompt as an administrator and run the following commands (modifying the path to match your Office install):



                                                        C:WINDOWSsystem32>FTYPE XLSX.FILETYPE="C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficeOffice14Excel.exe" "%1"
                                                        C:WINDOWSsystem32>ASSOC .xlsx=XLSX.FILETYPE
                                                        C:WINDOWSsystem32>FTYPE XLSM.FILETYPE="C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficeOffice14Excel.exe" "%1"
                                                        C:WINDOWSsystem32>ASSOC .xlsm=XLSM.FILETYPE


                                                        This will cause a new window to open whenever you double-click an Excel file. It also fixes the behavior when you right-click the Excel icon and select a recent spreadsheet. However, it will not fix the behavior when you open a spreadsheet through the Open dialog in Excel -- those will still open in the same window.



                                                        NOTE: If you place the above commands in a batch file, you will need to use "%%1" in place of "%1".







                                                        share|improve this answer












                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                        share|improve this answer










                                                        answered Dec 10 '18 at 19:38









                                                        jdgregson

                                                        1256




                                                        1256

















                                                            protected by Community Dec 14 '16 at 5:27



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