9 Methods for “Unable to Open Excel Files Directly by Clicking on The File Icon” Issue

As we all know, Microsoft Excel is an essential application in many workplaces and for personal use, handling everything from financial data to everyday lists. Therefore, it’s extremely frustrating when you are unable to open Excel files directly by clicking on the file icon. But don’t fret! You’re not alone, and there are various methods to fix this problem. In this blog, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about this and how to fix it.

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Why Won’t My Excel File Open When I Click on It?

It is important to extract the major cause behind the Excel file not opening directly issue for better resolution. Here are some of the common reasons:

  1. Corrupted MS Excel Installation
  2. Inappropriate File Associations
  3. Conflicting Excel Add-ins
  4. Outdated Excel Version
  5. Malicious Files or Malware
  6. Workbook Corruption or Format Issues.

Now that we know the major reasons, let’s dive into fixing the problem.

How to Fix Unable to Open Excel Files Directly by Clicking on The File Icon?

This section deliberates both simple & advanced resolutions to solve this bug. So, let’s try them:

Method 1- Repair Excel File Corruption

If the Excel not opening files directly due to a corrupted workbook, then you should immediately pick the Excel’s inbuilt Open and Repair utility. It can fix the corrupted workbook or worksheet for free and solve the current problem.

To use this feature, follow these instructions carefully:

  • Open Microsoft Excel
  • Next, click File tab > Open option.

Repair Your Excel Workbook

  • Select the faulty file to repair it.
  • After this, click on ‘Open’ >> ‘Open and Repair’ >> Repair option.

Unable to Open Excel Files Directly by Clicking on The File Icon

In case, the Open and Repair tool fails, opt for sophisticated Excel Repair Software. This tool will not only solve the Excel file corruption but also recover all the components such as a worksheet, a report, a cell, a chart, or a form saved in the workbook.

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Steps to Utilize MS Excel Repair Tool:

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Method 2- Check The DDE Settings

This problem might appear due to the Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) checkbox in the Excel options selected.

When you double-tap over the Excel workbook Windows Explorer, a dynamic data exchange (DDE) is sent to Excel. The message will allow Excel user to open the workbook that you have a double click.

If you choose the “ignore option”, Excel ignores the DDE message that is sent to it, through other programs. Because of this only, the DDE message that is sent to Excel by Windows Explorer is been ignored and Excel does not open the workbook that you double-clicked.

To correct this setting, follow the steps given:

  • On the Tools menu, click Options.

Last Time You Opened It Caused a Serious Error

  • Click the General.
  • Clear the Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) check box, and then click OK.

Enable-DDE

Note: In order to get more knowledge on, how to turn off DDE see the following Microsoft knowledgebase articles.

Also Read: Fix Unable to Change Date Format in Excel Issue

Method 3- Repair User Experience Virtualization (UE-V)

If you are running Update User Experience Virtualization (UE-V), install hotfix 2927019. To do this, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

2927019 Hotfix Package 1 for Microsoft User Experience Virtualization 2.0

If you are not sure whether you are running UE-V, examine the program list in the Program And Features items in the control panel. An entry for “Company Settings Center” indicates that you are running UE-V.

Repair User Experience Virtualization

Method 4- Reset File Associations to Fix Unable To Open Excel Files Directly By Clicking On The File Icon

Check out whether the file associations in the system are performing correctly or not, and reset the Excel file associations to their default settings. Follow the steps for your respective operating system:

Windows 8

  • Click or open the Control Panel.
  • Tap to the Default Programs option, and then click Set your default programs.

  • Click Excel, and then click Choose default for this program.
  • On the Set Program Associations screen, click Select All, and then click Save.

choose-defaults-for-excel

Windows 7

  • Tap Start, then search & click Control Panel.

Control Panel

  • Click Default Programs.
  • Click Associate a file type or protocol with a specific program.
  • Select Microsoft Excel Worksheet, and then click Change Program.
  • Under Recommended Programs, click Microsoft Excel.
  • If on the list, excel doesn’t appear then click the Browse Locate the Excel installation folder, click Excel.exe, and then click Excel.

Method 5- Change the File Format

Are you working with an old Excel file (.xls) but using a newer Excel version? Older files might not always open properly in newer software. In such a situation, consider changing the file format or extension to overcome the Excel file not opening directly situation.

  • Open an old file in Excel.
  • Navigate to the “File” tab > “Save As.”

unable to open Excel files directly by clicking on the file icon

  • Select the .xlsx format to convert it to a newer version.

Also Read: Your Excel Lifesaver: Tips for ‘Unable to Save Excel Workbook’ Issue

Method 6- Repair MS Office

Try to repair your office programs with the following steps mentioned here for your installation type and operating system.

For an Office 365 Click-to-Run installation

Windows 8

  • On the Start screen, type Control Panel.
  • Click or tap Control Panel.
  • Under Programs, click or tap Uninstall a program.
  • Click or tap Microsoft Office 365, and then click or tap Change.

Repair MS Office

  • Click or tap Online Repair, and then click or tap Repair. You may have to restart your computer after the repair process is finished.

Windows 7

  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Programs and Features.
  3. Tap Microsoft Office 365, and then click Change.
  4. Select Online Repair, and then click Repair.

Note: You need to restart your PC after the repair process is complete.

unable to open Excel files directly by clicking on the file icon

For an Office 2013, Office 2010, or Office 2007 installation

 To repair Office 2007, office 2010, and 2013, follow the steps in the following Office website topics:

Repair Office programs

Method 7- Turn off Excel Add-ins

Sometimes, the problem also occurred due to Excel and Com add-in programs. These two kinds of add-ins are located in a different folder. For testing, you need to disable and isolate the conflict by turning off each add-in one at a time.

To do this, follow these steps:

  • From the File menu, click on the Options and then click Add-Ins.
  • In the Manage list at the bottom of the screen, select COM Add-Ins item, and then click Go.

COM Add-ins

  • Remove one of the add-ins from the list, and then click OK.
  • Again try to open the Excel workbook by double-clicking the icon or file name that you are trying to open.

If your Excel file is loaded, the add-in you last cleared is the main culprit. For this situation, you are recommended to visit the manufacturer’s website for the add-in to learn whether an updated version of the add-in is available or not. If there is no newer version of the add-in available or if you don’t have to use the add-in, you can leave it turned off.

But if your Excel file doesn’t open even after turning off all the add-ins then the problem has a different cause and try method 6.

Method 8- Disable Hardware Acceleration

To work around this, you need to disable the hardware acceleration until a fix is released by your video card manufacturer.  So don’t forget to check out the latest update for your video card driver.

To disable hardware acceleration, follow these steps:

  • Start any Office 2013 program.
  • On the File tab, click Options.
  • In the Options dialog box, click Advanced.
  • From the list of available options, select the Disable hardware graphics acceleration checkbox.

unable to open Excel files directly by clicking on the file icon

  • Click OK.

Note: to get more knowledge regarding this hardware acceleration, follow the other Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

Method 9- Contact Microsoft Support Team

Even after trying the given solution, you are still unable to open Excel files directly by clicking on the file icon problem, you can contact Microsoft Support for additional troubleshooting help.

Related FAQs:

When I Double Click an Excel File, It Doesn't Open.?

The Excel document cannot determine what application to open when you try to access it as the file association is disrupted.

How Do You Recover Excel File That Cannot Be Open?

To recover an Excel file that cannot be open, go to File menu > Open >> Recover unsaved documents. Now, select the workbook that you can see in the list.

Why Won’t Files Open When I Double Click?

This might happen due to misconfigured mouse double-click speed, virus infection, outdated or corrupted mouse driver, etc.

How to Open an Excel File with Double-Click?

Navigate to the location where the Excel spreadsheet is stored, then double-click on it. this will open the file immediately.

Also Read: Fix Unable To Save Excel File To Shared Network Drives

Final Verdict

If you’re unable to open Excel files by clicking on the icon, don’t panic! With a few troubleshooting steps specified above in this blog, you can resolve the issue and get back to work. Whether it’s a problem with a corrupted workbook, file associations, or corrupted installations, most solutions are straightforward and don’t require much technical know-how. So, try them accordingly and as per your niche.

Hope you enjoyed reading this post!



Priyanka is a content marketing expert. She writes tech blogs and has expertise in MS Office, Excel, and other tech subjects. Her distinctive art of presenting tech information in the easy-to-understand language is very impressive. When not writing, she loves unplanned travels.