Vista file types and opening txt files in Excel

IanS · 03-20-2008, 08:14 AM

Have some data files unzipped with .com on the end of the filenames.
I've been using these for years - you just rename the file with .txt and open it in Excel.

I used to just right-click and select 'open with'. Excel would come up in the list to choose from.

However, on Vista, I see I have the option (if I persist) of opening these text files in... wait for it, Paint or Media Player?!?!?!
But no Excel.

(Why has this been changed? Did someone think it was a good idea?)

When trying to choose another progam to open .txt files with you are just dumped into the 'programs' folder to find it for yourself.

I don't want to set Excel as the default .txt opener, I just need to use it sometimes... often.

Anyway, perhaps I can rename the files to .txt in WinZip before extracting, so that the file association will be set then?? Currently it thinks its a DOS prog and no amount of renaming will alter that.

Can I get Windows to show the .txt instead of hiding it so that I can rename the file association? I can't find the place where you might do that on Vista.

Great forum, btw, where would we be....?

cheers,
Ian

Lead3 · 03-20-2008, 01:48 PM

What I did was to select open with, then select choose default program, then browse to Programs to find excel.exe. It will then show in the list. Make sure that you select Notepad as the default when you exit. The next time you select Open with, excel will be there as an option.
As far as displaying extentions, Go to Control Panel,Folder options,View and uncheck
"Hide extentions for known file types".

IanS · 03-20-2008, 02:08 PM

Thanks

I just figured it out, too.

I'm really having problems with Vista. Not tough technical stuff, just the way its deliberately configured.
I've had it one week and still haven't got any work done yet!

cheers, Ian

Lead3 · 03-20-2008, 02:14 PM

I'm glad it worked out for you.

Paul

IanS · 03-20-2008, 04:09 PM

Also found the option to make the unzipped file-type visible in windows so's I can change it from .com to .txt and get to the contents in notepad or excel for editing.

I'm back to normal now!
cheers,
Ian

03-20-2008, 08:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
IanS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK, London Posts: 50 OS: all sorts	Vista file types and opening txt files in Excel Have some data files unzipped with .com on the end of the filenames. I've been using these for years - you just rename the file with .txt and open it in Excel. I used to just right-click and select 'open with'. Excel would come up in the list to choose from. However, on Vista, I see I have the option (if I persist) of opening these text files in... wait for it, Paint or Media Player?!?!?! But no Excel. (Why has this been changed? Did someone think it was a good idea?) When trying to choose another progam to open .txt files with you are just dumped into the 'programs' folder to find it for yourself. I don't want to set Excel as the default .txt opener, I just need to use it sometimes... often. Anyway, perhaps I can rename the files to .txt in WinZip before extracting, so that the file association will be set then?? Currently it thinks its a DOS prog and no amount of renaming will alter that. Can I get Windows to show the .txt instead of hiding it so that I can rename the file association? I can't find the place where you might do that on Vista. Great forum, btw, where would we be....? cheers, Ian

03-20-2008, 01:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lead3 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 884 OS: 98SE,2000,XP SP3,VISTA SP1	Re: Vista file types and opening txt files in Excel What I did was to select open with, then select choose default program, then browse to Programs to find excel.exe. It will then show in the list. Make sure that you select Notepad as the default when you exit. The next time you select Open with, excel will be there as an option. As far as displaying extentions, Go to Control Panel,Folder options,View and uncheck "Hide extentions for known file types". __________________

03-20-2008, 02:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
IanS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK, London Posts: 50 OS: all sorts	Re: Vista file types and opening txt files in Excel Thanks I just figured it out, too. I'm really having problems with Vista. Not tough technical stuff, just the way its deliberately configured. I've had it one week and still haven't got any work done yet! cheers, Ian

03-20-2008, 02:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lead3 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 884 OS: 98SE,2000,XP SP3,VISTA SP1	Re: Vista file types and opening txt files in Excel I'm glad it worked out for you. Paul __________________

03-20-2008, 04:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
IanS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK, London Posts: 50 OS: all sorts	Re: Vista file types and opening txt files in Excel Also found the option to make the unzipped file-type visible in windows so's I can change it from .com to .txt and get to the contents in notepad or excel for editing. I'm back to normal now! cheers, Ian