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MS Excel 2003: Open a new instance of Excel whenever you launch the application

Question: In Microsoft Excel 2003/XP/2000/97, I have several workbooks saved to my desktop. I would like to force them to open in a new instance of Excel each time I double-click on the icon. Right now, they all open under the same instance. I know I could use the start menu to open a new instance, but is there a way to force a new instance each time?

Answer: You can create a shortcut for each file and define this shortcut to open a new instance of Excel. To do this, create a new shortcut.

When the Create Shortcut window appears, enter the following and then click on the Next button:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\EXCEL.EXE" / c:\file.xls

Where the first part is the path to your Excel program and then second part is the Excel file that you wish to open in a new instance of Excel.

Enter a name for your shortcut and click on the Finish button.

Now when you double-click on this shortcut, your file should open in a new instance of Excel.