Open Excel in Multiple Windows
In my previous post I mentioned that there was a way to create a bat file to force Excel to open each file in a new window. Opening Excel in multiple windows makes it easier to use Excel across multiple monitors and gives back the standard alt+tab to flip between Excel Spreadsheets. The problem with my previous solution was that the Excel files loose their icons. Unfortunately because the solution uses a bat file the icon cannot be changed. So I took the previous solution and enhanced it a little bit.
OpenOffice Icon
This solution uses the same principle but installs a program instead of using a bat file. This program has an icon so all the associated Excel files will also use that icon. I was originally hoping to use the Microsoft Icon for this program but after looking at their Terms of Use a decided to use the Open Office Icon.
Without further ado the directions to get Excel running on multiple monitors is below:
1. Download the following file and run the installer.
DOWNLOAD: Open Excel in Multiple Windows (2802 Downloads)
DOWNLOAD: Standalone - Open Excel in Multiple Windows (935 Downloads)2. Update the file association for each Excel File.
Right click the excel file and select “Open With…” and then in the window that opens click “Browse…”
Then select the program that you just installed. By default it will be installed at C:\Program Files\Brett Batie\Excel on Multiple Monitors\runExcel.exe. Make sure that “Always use the selected program to open this kind of file” is checked in the “Open With” dialog.
Now anytime you open an Excel file it will open a new copy of Excel.
changelog:
1.1 - Fixed a problem where filenames with spaces would not open.
February 19th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Nice work! I was a little dismayed at using a cmd/bat icon as previous posters, but your little app handles things nicely. The strange thing is Excel opens *faster* when clicking on the file now than previously. Makes me think the normal execution method is doing something extra & unnecessary.
p.s. Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 & Office 2007.
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Was looking for something like this since it doesn't seem to be as easy in Vista. Is it possible for me to get a version of this EXE with the Microsoft Excel Icon though? If so, send to throwaway312@gmail.com — Thanks!
March 9th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I am not allowed to distribute the program with Microsoft's icon due to their Terms of Use.
However, the program's icon can be changed using a program such as resource hacker. I just posted an article on how to change a program's icon to explain the steps to use to modify the icon.
I hope this helps!
March 14th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
This is awesome and super helpful. Thanks!
March 18th, 2009 at 6:07 am
Hi Brett,
hell of a job… as long as I use the tool on my machine at home. Unfortunately my office computer doesn't allow for software to be installed without admin privileges.
Any ideas on how to implement your new solution anyway? I tried the old one and the .xls's lost their icons as described…
March 18th, 2009 at 9:22 am
@Daniel – I have added an additional link to the post that will allow you to use the program without needing to install it.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 am
Hey Brett, Thanks so much for posting this. I always felt like having 2 monitors was a waste when I used excel, but now I feel I can properly get my moneys worth!
Thanks again!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Wow – Thanks so much – this also worked on Win XP and Excel 2007. What can I say except that this has fixed what seemed like the biggest oversight. Excel really is the app that most benefits from dual monitors – and now I can use it that way.
May 4th, 2009 at 1:40 am
Thank you, very good work, funny that Microsoft didn't think of this.
This is the best tool out for excel users, I'll be sure to pass it along as I go.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Or you can edit the registry on Vista and Windows 7 and it does the exact same thing as changing the file association through XP. This will not cause any Icon problems or anything.
Delete the following lines in the registry:
HKCR\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\ddeexec
HKCR\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\ddeexec
and change the below like shown:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\command
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\EXCEL.EXE /e "%1"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\command
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\EXCEL.EXE /e "%1"
June 13th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I'll vouch for Britt's suggestion.
I've just tried it using Windows 7 RC1 (7100) and Excel 2003 and it works.
If MS hadn't modified the way we change Folder Options in Win7, we could just follow the typical instructions from:
http://blog.drewery.net/2006/08/29/utilising-dual-monitors-with-microsoft-excel-2003/
September 25th, 2009 at 12:39 am
Britt's suggestion works for me.
The software solution did not work for me under Vista 64b.
The MSI file created a new Reg Entry under KEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\command
of the following type
command=KEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\command
command
REG_MULTI_SZ
w_1^V8!!!!!!!!!MKKSkEXCELFiles>(jumbled chars) /e
Which did not work
November 5th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
On Windows 7 64bit with Excel 2007 SP2.
WHAT DOES NOT WORK:
1. Tried the registry setting, but I receive the error: "The parameter is incorrect." and Excel won't even open.
Delete the following lines in the registry:
HKCR\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\ddeexec
HKCR\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\ddeexec
and change the below like shown:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\command
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\EXCEL.EXE /e "%1"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\command
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\EXCEL.EXE /e "%1"
2. Tried the "Ignore other applications that use DDE" option, and would receive “There was a problem sending the command to the program”
This program was the only solution that did work. Wish there was more of a fix than a workaround.
This will get me where I need to be for now. Thanks Brett!
November 13th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Well I downloaded Office 2010 Beta 2. Same problem! Tried the Tried the “Ignore other applications that use DDE” option again, and still receive “There was a problem sending the command to the program”.
Luckily this program you made still works with Excel 2010. Thanks.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Thanks, this was a great help. Easy to use on my work computer, that I don't have admin rights to :)
January 31st, 2010 at 2:49 pm
You, Sir, are a legend :-)
Your software works perfectly on my setup (W7 64-bit, Office 2K7).
Many, many thanks!
February 7th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
How long have I been wanting to be able to just double click and have a CSV and or a XLS open in a new window and not interfere with any other excel sheet open at the the time
Thanks
Adam
February 20th, 2010 at 2:26 am
Fantastic! Works like a charm. Thank you!
April 15th, 2010 at 6:35 am
Hi there! Great program, love it. However, in Windows 7 64-bit, it needs to be run with administrative privileges, otherwise it crashes with "This program stopped working…".
So, after install you have to:
find the exe (C:\Program Files (x86)\Brett Batie\Excel on Multiple Monitors\runExcel.exe)
right-click, select "Troubleshoot Compatibility"
click "Troubleshoot program"
check "The program requires additional permissions" and folllow the prompts to save the settings.
Perhaps an update would be good. Also, it cannot automatically find the path to excel.
August 20th, 2010 at 2:07 am
Thanks a mil dude!!! I will let everyone know about this great piece of little software.
you know… you could make a fortune from this….
September 8th, 2010 at 11:09 am
I must say it is for nothig, because now the clipboard is not working correctly.
Now I have problem how to returt back and I do not know way.
Plese help.
September 8th, 2010 at 11:40 am
If you want to revert to the original setup just repeat step #2 and select "Microsoft Office Excel" as the default program instead of "browsing" for the custom application.
January 10th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
The reply from May 19th, 2009 titled Britt Says, worked for me… after fixing the double-quotes. You need to use the keyboard double-quote (") instead of the slanted double-quotes, shown in the original response. I corrected the double quote below:
Britt Says:
May 19th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Or you can edit the registry on Vista and Windows 7 and it does the exact same thing as changing the file association through XP. This will not cause any Icon problems or anything.
Delete the following lines in the registry:
HKCR\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\ddeexec
HKCR\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\ddeexec
and change the below like shown:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\command
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\EXCEL.EXE /e "%1"
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\command
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\EXCEL.EXE /e "%1"
February 14th, 2011 at 5:47 am
You are a genius! You have no idea how much this helps me. Thank you for your efforts and may you be blessed with everything good!
March 17th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
THANKYOU!! All the other methods such as edit the folder options wouldnt work but your solution works great!
April 13th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Man, i really have to say: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!
I didn't want it to use in dual screen actually, but because the "undo" option of excel 2010 is really not like i wanted…
ex: if i had 2 or more sheets open, and i change something on sheet 1, then go to sheet 2, change something else, and go back to sheet 1 and press "undo", excel 2010 was undoing the last change overall (in this case, the change in sheet 2, and not in sheet 1, were i was editing)….
Your solution solved this case that was an enormous annoyance to users that works with lots of sheets at many time.
Thank you very much again!
April 20th, 2011 at 9:56 am
Hmm.. it crashes on my Win 7 x64 computer. It worked great on my last computer (Win 7 x32). Any reason this can't be made to work on x64 machines?
April 20th, 2011 at 10:05 am
I just now saw @Laszlo's response a few posts above mine. That workaround is close, but it throws a UAC each time I run it. At least the program does correct the problem. Any workarounds to prevent the UAC from popping up?
April 20th, 2011 at 11:00 am
@Skip it should work perfectly on Win 7 x64. I just tested it on my Win 7 box and I did not have an issue. I also originally built this program on a x64 machine. The program really isn't that complicated so I suspect that there is something funny with your Microsoft Office installation. It could also be the location that this program is expecting excel to be in. You could try reinstalling this application?
April 20th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Hmmm… this is a brand new computer with a fresh MS Office installation. I just downloaded it again and installed it to the default location (C:\Program Files (x86)\Brett Batie\Excel on Multiple Monitors). If I run it by double-clicking it, I get a "runExcel.exe has stopped working" error and an option to check online (yeah yeah yeah, never works) or to close the program. If I right-click on it and choose run as administrator, it will run, but of course it throws a UAC. Are there any command line options to log any information?
By the way, I have used this program for about two years with my last computer, and I can't imagine life without it. I can't believe MS is so ignorant to this issue. Great job, Brett!
April 20th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
I fixed it. I had to adjust the folder security permissions to specifically allow myself full access. Strange.
April 20th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
@Skip – That actually makes sense. The first thing the program does is create a file runExcel.exe.config file (in the same directory as the program). If your user doesn't have permission to create that file nothing else will work. Good job figuring it out and thanks for taking the time to share that information.
August 18th, 2011 at 5:29 am
Thanks for posting this Brett! This is perfect!
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:57 pm
I just installed this and can not get it to work. As soon as I open it or any associated file it says "runExcel.exe has stopped working. Windows is trying to find the problem." On Win 7-64 with Excel 2003. Sure I must be missing something simple.
September 6th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@MCM This can happen if the program does not have permission to save a file in the same folder as runExcel.exe. When the program is first executed it will create a config file named runExcel.exe.config. Check the permissions on the folder that has runExcel.exe in it and make sure that you have the ability to create the config file in that directory.
March 9th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
This solution have worked for me in the past, but after countless of updates from microsoft it does not work anymore. I can open multiple instances but as some othere here nothing opens inside them when I open a file. I have to drag a file into the instance that opens.
Very sad since it worked before :S Any advice?