Excel and windows
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Pardon me if I'm being extremely thick here, but why is it that when you double click on an excel file in Windows explorer it automatically opens in the current excel window you've got opened? It makes comparing files very difficult. And, say, with Visual Studio, you can pull windows out to have them side by side when you need them, but with Excel, once you've got two files opened in a window you can't get them separated. If anyone could prove me wrong, I'd be more than happy!
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
This is fairly standard behaviour with file types that have default file associations. What happens here is that when you double click the file, the launcher looks for an open instance of the associated application and uses that to open the file. When you think about it, this makes a lot of sense as it prevents you from opening up many instances of an application (which could hammer your system memory). As a test, open up Visual Studio and open a solution in it - now double click a .cs file. Voila, the file opens up in that instance of Visual Studio - no differently to the way that Excel opens the file up.
*pre-emptive celebratory nipple tassle jiggle* - Sean Ewington
"Mind bleach! Send me mind bleach!" - Nagy Vilmos
CodeStash - Online Snippet Management | My blog | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier
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Yes, but that still opens multiple files in the same window. I want it in separate windows. Saves me from accidentally closing the lot too!
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
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Rubbish. You can easily have two instances of excel open. And I have explained above how to have two spreadsheets side by side for comparison. What you CANNOT do, however, is move a spreadsheet from one instance of Excel to another, because the metadata is tied to the instance that it is opened in. There are ways around this, clunky but functional, but it is always better to just keep everything in one instance.
--------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]
It amazes me how readily people ignore advice from the guy who probably spends more time in Excel than most of the rest of us put together. I for one will thank you - I'd not noticed I was missing that ability, but you can be sure I'll be using it in future.
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Rubbish. You can easily have two instances of excel open. And I have explained above how to have two spreadsheets side by side for comparison. What you CANNOT do, however, is move a spreadsheet from one instance of Excel to another, because the metadata is tied to the instance that it is opened in. There are ways around this, clunky but functional, but it is always better to just keep everything in one instance.
--------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]
There are certain things you cannot do when running multiple instances, and have to run two workbooks within one instance. It can be a pain in the neck sometimes, depending on what you are trying to do and how you orginally opened the files. So take your rubbish and shove it up your hoop! :) There is an article kicking around in MS Blog land that discusses some of these complexities, but i'll be damned if I would be able to find it, as I came across it by accident one day while looking something else up and it was a random long keyword search that I can't remember.
Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn
Folding Stats: Team CodeProject
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This is fairly standard behaviour with file types that have default file associations. What happens here is that when you double click the file, the launcher looks for an open instance of the associated application and uses that to open the file. When you think about it, this makes a lot of sense as it prevents you from opening up many instances of an application (which could hammer your system memory). As a test, open up Visual Studio and open a solution in it - now double click a .cs file. Voila, the file opens up in that instance of Visual Studio - no differently to the way that Excel opens the file up.
*pre-emptive celebratory nipple tassle jiggle* - Sean Ewington
"Mind bleach! Send me mind bleach!" - Nagy Vilmos
CodeStash - Online Snippet Management | My blog | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier
Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
This is fairly standard behaviour with file types that have default file associations. What happens here is that when you double click the file, the launcher looks for an open instance of the associated application and uses that to open the file. When you think about it, this makes a lot of sense as it prevents you from opening up many instances of an application (which could hammer your system memory).
But, say, MS Word will open separate windows for every file. I do take your point about too many instances potentially causing problems. What I would love to have is a right click option for excel files to choose whether to open in the current window or create a new instance.
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
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Rubbish. You can easily have two instances of excel open. And I have explained above how to have two spreadsheets side by side for comparison. What you CANNOT do, however, is move a spreadsheet from one instance of Excel to another, because the metadata is tied to the instance that it is opened in. There are ways around this, clunky but functional, but it is always better to just keep everything in one instance.
--------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]
Although, I must admit in Excel 2010 Microsoft have a slightly different definition of side-by-side than me - I'd describe those as stacked.
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Pardon me if I'm being extremely thick here, but why is it that when you double click on an excel file in Windows explorer it automatically opens in the current excel window you've got opened? It makes comparing files very difficult. And, say, with Visual Studio, you can pull windows out to have them side by side when you need them, but with Excel, once you've got two files opened in a window you can't get them separated. If anyone could prove me wrong, I'd be more than happy!
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
You could middle-click the excel icon already visible in the taskbar and then you will open a new instance, then double click the file and or drag it to the newly openend excel... Hope this helps..
[www.tamautomation.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
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Rubbish. You can easily have two instances of excel open. And I have explained above how to have two spreadsheets side by side for comparison. What you CANNOT do, however, is move a spreadsheet from one instance of Excel to another, because the metadata is tied to the instance that it is opened in. There are ways around this, clunky but functional, but it is always better to just keep everything in one instance.
--------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]
Dalek Dave wrote:
You can easily have two instances of excel open.
Of course you can. But whereas double clicking on a .doc file, say, will always start up a new instance of MS Word, double clicking on a .xls file always reuses what's currently open. The difference in behaviour is what's annoying and confusing me, I think.
Dalek Dave wrote:
it is always better to just keep everything in one instance.
Not always. It's a lot easier to manage two instances on two screens with different ratios and resolutions.
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
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There are certain things you cannot do when running multiple instances, and have to run two workbooks within one instance. It can be a pain in the neck sometimes, depending on what you are trying to do and how you orginally opened the files. So take your rubbish and shove it up your hoop! :) There is an article kicking around in MS Blog land that discusses some of these complexities, but i'll be damned if I would be able to find it, as I came across it by accident one day while looking something else up and it was a random long keyword search that I can't remember.
Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn
Folding Stats: Team CodeProject
DaveAuld wrote:
shove it up your hoop!
I love that term! But we are digressing. The main point was the chap had a requirement to compare two spreadsheets side by side, but excel does offer that as I stated. I did point out that it was always better to keep them all within one instance, so if you would allow me to respond in kind, "Pog Mahone!" :)
--------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]
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Pete O'Hanlon wrote:
This is fairly standard behaviour with file types that have default file associations. What happens here is that when you double click the file, the launcher looks for an open instance of the associated application and uses that to open the file. When you think about it, this makes a lot of sense as it prevents you from opening up many instances of an application (which could hammer your system memory).
But, say, MS Word will open separate windows for every file. I do take your point about too many instances potentially causing problems. What I would love to have is a right click option for excel files to choose whether to open in the current window or create a new instance.
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
What you are talking about is a different thing. This is down to what replaced MDI in Microsoft applications - IIRC it's called Multiple Top Level Documents. Unfortunately, the Excel team implemented the feature differently to the Word team.
*pre-emptive celebratory nipple tassle jiggle* - Sean Ewington
"Mind bleach! Send me mind bleach!" - Nagy Vilmos
CodeStash - Online Snippet Management | My blog | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier
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Yes, but that still opens multiple files in the same window. I want it in separate windows. Saves me from accidentally closing the lot too!
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
You were unclear in your original post. A more succinct question will, inevitably, lead to a more precise answer :) In response I would say that you need the 'Clunky' method of opening it, saving it, opening a second instance of Excel and then reopening the file in the second instance. (Cannot see how that is better). Or the alternative way is open two excel sheets in one excel instance. Next you choose the tab "View" and click the "all window" option, then you can select that all the open windows should appear next to each other. When you make your Excel instance a big as your desktop (across two screens) you can see both of the excel sheets in one instance.
--------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]
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Yes, but that still opens multiple files in the same window. I want it in separate windows. Saves me from accidentally closing the lot too!
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
PaulowniaK wrote:
Saves me from accidentally closing the lot too!
Then open up separate instances of Excel.exe manually. As I state below, this is the replacement for MDI and has nothing to do with opening up from the file system. You see the same behaviour if you create new spreadsheets in one instance of Excel.exe.
*pre-emptive celebratory nipple tassle jiggle* - Sean Ewington
"Mind bleach! Send me mind bleach!" - Nagy Vilmos
CodeStash - Online Snippet Management | My blog | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier
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You could middle-click the excel icon already visible in the taskbar and then you will open a new instance, then double click the file and or drag it to the newly openend excel... Hope this helps..
[www.tamautomation.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
Joan Murt wrote:
You could middle-click the excel icon
Cool, I didn't know about that! :cool:
Joan Murt wrote:
then double click the file
That puts the file in the excel that was already opened, not the one I just opened with the middle button click.
Joan Murt wrote:
drag it to the newly openend excel
Yup, this always has worked, but you end up with a spare Book1 floating around. No harm done, sure. Just annoyed that something so seemingly simple is so difficult.
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
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You could middle-click the excel icon already visible in the taskbar and then you will open a new instance, then double click the file and or drag it to the newly openend excel... Hope this helps..
[www.tamautomation.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
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You were unclear in your original post. A more succinct question will, inevitably, lead to a more precise answer :) In response I would say that you need the 'Clunky' method of opening it, saving it, opening a second instance of Excel and then reopening the file in the second instance. (Cannot see how that is better). Or the alternative way is open two excel sheets in one excel instance. Next you choose the tab "View" and click the "all window" option, then you can select that all the open windows should appear next to each other. When you make your Excel instance a big as your desktop (across two screens) you can see both of the excel sheets in one instance.
--------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]
Dalek Dave wrote:
You were unclear in your original post.
Apologies. Coffee before pressing the big red button would have been a better idea... Yes, "instances" is what I meant. Thanks for your help. At least I know for certain now that I have to rely on myself to overcome my laziness and carelessness.
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
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Joan Murt wrote:
You could middle-click the excel icon
Cool, I didn't know about that! :cool:
Joan Murt wrote:
then double click the file
That puts the file in the excel that was already opened, not the one I just opened with the middle button click.
Joan Murt wrote:
drag it to the newly openend excel
Yup, this always has worked, but you end up with a spare Book1 floating around. No harm done, sure. Just annoyed that something so seemingly simple is so difficult.
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
PaulowniaK wrote:
Cool, I didn't know about that! :cool:
Great, I'm glad it has helped you.
PaulowniaK wrote:
That puts the file in the excel that was already opened, not the one I just opened with the middle button click.
You should click the newly opened excel first, then the file will go to the last excel with focus... (I'm speaking from deep memories). :thumbsup:
[www.tamautomation.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
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I'm glad it has been useful to you! :thumbsup: and thank you DD!
[www.tamautomation.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
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PaulowniaK wrote:
Cool, I didn't know about that! :cool:
Great, I'm glad it has helped you.
PaulowniaK wrote:
That puts the file in the excel that was already opened, not the one I just opened with the middle button click.
You should click the newly opened excel first, then the file will go to the last excel with focus... (I'm speaking from deep memories). :thumbsup:
[www.tamautomation.com] Robots, CNC and PLC machines for grinding and polishing.
Joan Murt wrote:
You should click the newly opened excel first, then the file will go to the last excel with focus... (I'm speaking from deep memories).
Sounds extremely sensible... just that I'm still having trouble with that... :doh: I wonder if I can find any Excel settings I've got set strangely...
Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike... me...
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http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2007-office_install/opening-wordexcel-document-opens-second-blank/2eadcb0c-7d87-4c89-bf94-496e2c8a6a62[^] May be the solution to your problem!
Dave Find Me On: Web|Facebook|Twitter|LinkedIn
Folding Stats: Team CodeProject
That fixed it! Cheers - it was never a "biggie", so I didn't bother too much, but it helps. Don't you love MS consistency though:
winword /r
excel /oBoth to do the same thing in suite apps... :sigh:
Ideological Purity is no substitute for being able to stick your thumb down a pipe to stop the water
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You were unclear in your original post. A more succinct question will, inevitably, lead to a more precise answer :) In response I would say that you need the 'Clunky' method of opening it, saving it, opening a second instance of Excel and then reopening the file in the second instance. (Cannot see how that is better). Or the alternative way is open two excel sheets in one excel instance. Next you choose the tab "View" and click the "all window" option, then you can select that all the open windows should appear next to each other. When you make your Excel instance a big as your desktop (across two screens) you can see both of the excel sheets in one instance.
--------------------------------- I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^]
Before Excel 2010, it would not allow you to run multiple instances.
Software Zen:
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