Cannot find file when opening XLS file in Microsoft Excel 2003

Error Symptoms:
Cannot find file when opening XLS file in Microsoft Excel 2003. Double-clicking opens Excel but not the XLS file Error on opening an XLS file by double-cliking it

Cause: The 'Ignore other applications' option has been turned on in Microsoft Excel 2003.

Details: If the 'Ignore other applications' option has been turned on in Microsoft Excel 2003, then you cannot open Microsoft Excel files by double-clicking them. This setting option prevents Microsoft Windows from sending a message to Excel requesting a file open operation.

Solution:

1) Click 'OK' on the error message.
2) Press CTRL+N to open a new file.
3) In the 'Tools' menu, click 'Options'. The 'Options' dialog box is displayed.
4) Click the 'General' tab.

5) Clear the option 'Ignore other applications' under 'Settings'.
6) Click 'OK'.