Microsoft Knowledge Base

MXL5: Starting Microsoft Excel Without a Default Workbook
Last reviewed: September 12, 1996
Article ID: Q134408
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, there is no built-in feature that allows you to start the application without opening a workbook.

To give the appearance that Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh has been started without displaying a default workbook, use the following steps:

  1. In Microsoft Excel, close any currently open files.

  2. Open a new, unsaved workbook by clicking New on the File menu.

  3. On the File menu, click Save, and save this workbook with a new name in the "System:Preferences:Excel Startup Folder (5)" folder.

  4. On the Window menu, click Hide.

  5. On the File menu, click Quit. When you are prompted to save the changes to your hidden workbook, click Yes.

  6. Restart Microsoft Excel (from the application icon or application alias).

When Microsoft Excel is opened, the only visible menus are File, Edit, and Window. Note that if you click Unhide on the Window menu, you will see your hidden workbook listed in the Unhide dialog box.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh does not support the use of "command line" switches or settings. Therefore, you cannot use these features to start Microsoft Excel. Note that in Microsoft Excel for Windows, you can use the "/e" switch on the properties command line to prevent Microsoft Excel from creating the default workbook.

The following is a list of ways to start Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh:

  • Double-click the application icon.
  • Double-click an alias of the icon.
  • Place the application icon (or alias) in the System:Startup Items folder and restart your Macintosh.
  • Double-click the icon of a Microsoft Excel file.
  • Drag a Microsoft Excel file icon to the application icon (or to an alias of the application icon) .

When you open Microsoft Excel with any of these methods, at least one workbook will always be opened (either a new unsaved workbook or the workbook file you are opening).

KBCategory: kbui kbusage
KBSubcategory: xlmac

Additional reference words: 5.00 mac



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Last reviewed: September 12, 1996
©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal Notices.