Why doesn't my Workbook or Template open via Windows Explorer or Office Connector Launch Pad?

Background
Microsoft Excel contains a setting that prevents external applications from communicating with Excel via DDE.  DDE stands for Dynamic Data Exchange and is used by some applications to exchange data back and forth.  Windows Explorer uses DDE to open XLS and XLT files.  Therefore if this feature is enabled, a workbook cannot be opened by double-clicking it in Windows Explorer.  This would also disable the launching of workbooks via Event 1 Office Connector Launch Pad.

Symtom:
Attempting to open an XLS or XLT file opens Excel but does not open the file that was selected.

Resolution:

  1. Start Microsoft Excel
  2. Select Tools / Options
  3. Click on the [General] tab
  4. Uncheck the Ignore other applications checkbox
  5. Click <OK>