Excel opens all files on desktop

[danman4t4]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Power PC

Power PC iMac G5, Mac OSX 10.5.4, Excel 2004 for Mac Version 11.2.

Whenever I launch Excel, it immediately tries to open every file that's on my desktop, even non Excel files such as jpg, mp3, avi, tor, etc. It does this every time I launch Excel, and it only tries to open those files on my desktop (not in any other folders). Because these are not Excel files, it ends up freezing the computer and I basically can't use Excel anymore. Other than cleaning my desktop of other files, how can I get Excel to stop insisting on opening every file on my desktop, every time?

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Power PC

Power PC iMac G5, Mac OSX 10.5.4, Excel 2004 for Mac Version 11.2.

Whenever I launch Excel, it immediately tries to open every file that's on my
desktop, even non Excel files such as jpg, mp3, avi, tor, etc. It does this
every time I launch Excel, and it only tries to open those files on my desktop
(not in any other folders). Because these are not Excel files, it ends up
freezing the computer and I basically can't use Excel anymore. Other than
cleaning my desktop of other files, how can I get Excel to stop insisting on
opening every file on my desktop, every time?

Start Excel with the shift key down. When it opens and the blank sheet
appears, go to Preferences-General. Clear the value in At start up, Open all
files....

 

[danman4t4]

There is no ‘At Start Up’ option under the Preferences -> General window. In fact, I don’t see this command under any of the other Preferences windows either. Now what?

 

[JE McGimpsey]

There is no ‘At Start Up’ option under the Preferences -> General window. In
fact, I don’t see this command under any of the other Preferences windows
either. Now what?

In XL04, the preference is Preferences/General/Alternate Startup file
location

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Dan -

Tangential to the actual issue, but storing files & folders on the Desktop I
OS X can be risky business in the first place. It's much better to create a
hierarchy of your own within the Documents folder or on the root level of
your HD. It also makes for better organization of your files

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Tangential to the actual issue, but storing files & folders on the Desktop I
OS X can be risky business in the first place.

????

Isn't the Desktop just a directory within the user account (with a
special display)?

What is it about the Desktop that makes it more risky than, say, the
Documents directory?

 

[Slipface]

????

Isn't the Desktop just a directory within the user account (with a
special display)?

What is it about the Desktop that makes it more risky than, say, the
Documents directory?

I've read in numerous places that for some people, decluttering the
desktop can improve a sluggish system. Not sure if it's true or just a
rumor that's being perpetuated. I'd be curious to know. I like to keep
my desktop clutter free just for aesthetics, but I've been known to
leave a few aliases up there (not sure if an alias to a doc is any
worse than the actual doc, if this is a real phenomenon).

_dennis

 

[Schnebsy]

I have 2008 and had the problem of downloading a .bin file that Excel grabbed
and opened (fortunately, they were small files). Tried the right click to
default it to nothing, but that is not an option. Looked everywhere to
change it, but did not have the options stated above in 2008. I have
noticed, and checked, this little option in "General." The "Confirm before
opening other applications" states, "Displays a confirmation message if you
attempt to create or open a file other than an Excel workbook from the Open
dialog box or the Project Gallery." I haven't tested it, yet, but it seems
that it may a step in the right direction. I think the keeping of an
immaculate desktop (e.g. file and folder free) is the sign of a sick mind! ; )

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

I have 2008 and had the problem of downloading a .bin file that Excel grabbed
and opened (fortunately, they were small files). Tried the right click to
default it to nothing, but that is not an option. Looked everywhere to
change it, but did not have the options stated above in 2008. I have
noticed, and checked, this little option in "General." The "Confirm before
opening other applications" states, "Displays a confirmation message if you
attempt to create or open a file other than an Excel workbook from the Open
dialog box or the Project Gallery." I haven't tested it, yet, but it seems
that it may a step in the right direction. I think the keeping of an
immaculate desktop (e.g. file and folder free) is the sign of a sick mind! ; )

Quit Excel. The relaunch Excel with the shift key down. Go to Preferences
and in the General tab, clear out the entry in Open al files at start up.