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Filename spaces problem

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7 replies

by swlovett

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NT Workstation 4.0. When I double-click on an xls file that has spaces in the filename, Excel 97 tries to open each space delimited name as a separate file. For example, double click on "my spread.xls" and Excel tries to open my.xls, spread.xls andmy spread.xls. Seems like it has to be a DDE problem, but I have checked the open action for an xls file on the offending workstations and cannot see any difference between it and workstations that work OK.

All suggestions appreciated...

Steve

7 replies

by tghoeken

You might try changing the following: Tools > Options > General, and under settings uncheck the box for Ignore Other Applications

by swlovett

gotta admit, I didn't even know that was there. It wasn't the problem though.
fyi: After some experimentation, I found that DDE can remained checked if the following change is made to Application used to perform action: line:
Before: ?C:\Excel.exe? /e
After: ?C:\Excel.exe? /e ? Note that there is a space between the e and the line ending ?

I suspect that the quote does something to prevent the file name from being appended to the line or causes Excel to ignore it if it is. Bottom line, it works.

by hippo

On the machine with the problems:-
Double Click my computer
View menu -> options File type tab.
In registered file type, select Microsoft Excel Worksheet and the Edit.
Select Open, Edit. Click to clear "Use DDE"
and add "%1" to the end of the command line above (include the quotes). Click OK and then close twice. This will disable 16 bit DDE but should solve the problem.
Check Q201601 at support.microsoft.com for more information.
~Tony

by swlovett

Yeah, I found that too. Problem is, it only works for the Open action. See my comments to the first answer for a solution that works for all.

Thanks.

by tmaclennan

I've seen this myself. Happens to me on machines where Excel 97 is an upgrade from Excel 5.0. We never looked for a fix beyond a complete uninstall/reinstall. To really clear the problem, we use OFFCLN97.EXE, an app used to eliminate all traces of Office apps from your PC and available on the microsoft site.

by swlovett

I have too many workstations to uninstall/wipe clean/reinstall. I don't know if you can see my comments to the first answer I got, so I will pass them on to you. May help you.
Thanks. Steve

After some experimentation, I found that DDE can remained checked if the following change is made to Application used to perform action: line:
Before: ?C:\Excel.exe? /e
After: ?C:\Excel.exe? /e ? Note that there is a space between the e and the line ending ?

I suspect that the quote does something to prevent the file name from being appended to the line or causes Excel to ignore it if it is. Bottom line, it works.

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