opening excel in separate windows

Use the File Association Settings

You have to tell Excel not to use DDE to open the worksheet. Open Windows Explorer, Tools, Options, File Types Scroll down to XLS Select Advance Button Click on OPEN in the Actions window, Then Edit On the 2nd line for application used add "%1". Make sure to put the quotes around %1. Example ...\Excel.exe" /e "%1" Write down what you see in the DDE Section. You will need this information if you want to return to the original settings. Now DeSelect Use DDE When you double click on any XLS file a separate instance of excel will run. Another advantage is that you can open more than one XLS file with the same name. 

 

 [open("%1")]