Excel Spreadsheet file shortcuts

[weese237]

Hello,
I have a spreadsheet that has about 50 or 60 hyperlinked "shortcuts" to other spreadsheets. I've used it for years and it has always worked great. Instead of "file, open...." I just click on the spreadsheet I want and voila, there it is.

It still works great but one thing that has bugged me ever since we were forced to use Office 10 from 2003. When I click on a spreadsheet, the file does open and is ready for input, but the difference now is that this new open file is not "selected" on the taskbar like it used to be, it still shows my shortcut spreadsheet as the current spreadsheet on screen even though it's not. So if I have 4 or 5 similar spreadsheets open, I'm not sure at a glance at the taskbar which one I'm working on. I have to click off in a blank area of the taskbar or just click on the one I want to use and then it will be selected. It just seems to me that if I'm working in a spreadsheet, the file should be selected in the taskbar (like I said, it used to be.)

I can live with it, as I have for over a year now, but it's getting old and so am I! LOL!

Is there anything I can to fix this? Should I rebuild this spreadsheet using Office 10 maybe?

Thanks!
Louise

[HansV]

Which version of Windows are you using?

[weese237]

Hi Hans,
Currently using Vista. Don't like it. Will be getting a new computer soon. Probably in the next couple of weeks. I'm sure that will be a version of 8 something.

Louise

[Rudi]

Is your question regarding the hyperlinked file not opening in front of your active file (containing the links), or that the buttons on the taskbar are being grouped and you cannot toggle between the open files? Sorry, I'm a bit foggy on the actual issue at hand?

If it happens to be item #2, then follow this advice to ungroup the taskbar buttons...

[weese237]

Hi Rudi,

My taskbar buttons are not grouped. I like them side-by-side. This issue is when I'm looking at my freshly opened spreadsheet and start entering data, let's say it's called "doodads1.xls", if I look at my taskbar, the highlighted spreadsheet (or selected) is not what I'm working on, but rather the "shortcuts.xls and not "doodads1".

Thanks,
Louise

[Rudi]

Hi Louise,

I'm still foggy with the issue at hand?
Please clarify your first post.

TX

[weese237]

Hi Rudi,
I edited my last post. Maybe at the same time or around the same time as your post. I don't think I can put it any differently. Hans has given me an idea that perhaps it's not Excel at all and maybe my version of Windows?

I think I'll see what happens when I get my new computer.

Thanks!
Louise

[HansV]

I tried it in Excel 2013 on Windows 8.1, with taskbar buttons not grouped. The correct button was highlighted when I opened a workbook from a hyperlink. So perhaps it's a problem with Windows Vista.

[weese237]

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, Maybe this is clearer?

Thanks,
Louise

[weese237]

Hi Hans,
I think that you are probably right. Now that I think about it, I did change computers around that time too. I think that one was actually XP.

I think Vista has had a lot of issues and I can't wait to get rid of it.

Last time we spoke, I thought you weren't going to upgrade for a while? We were talking about Office 10 at the time and Windows 7. Looks like there's a large learning curve with Windows 8? I like my Windows 7.

Thanks!
Louise

[HansV]

My computer with Windows 7 and Office 2010 crashed in August, and the hard disk was beyond recovery. So I got a new computer with Windows 8.1, and decided to make the switch to Office 2013. I actually like Windows 8.1 - once you set it up the way you want, it works much like Windows 7, and it's actually better in some ways.

[HansV]

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, Maybe this is clearer?

Yep, it does certainly look like Windows Vista gets it wrong...

[weese237]

Really? That's hopeful! I didn't know you could set it up like Windows 7. Good to know as my laptop won't last forever.

Hopefully you didn't lose too much when your other computer crashed.

Louise

[HansV]

I didn't lose any data - I had a backup of the day before, fortunately. Making backups frequently finally paid off!

[weese237]

You're right! LOL! I don't think mine has ever paid off that good.

I'll have to ask you how you have your Windows 8.1 set up when the time comes. I've helped a friend of mine and they have Windows 8 and I hated it. Every one I know that I've talked to really don't like it. You're the first positive one, so you must know something they and I don't!

Take care,
Louise

[Rudi]

I've been promoting Windows 8 since mid-2013, but some of the crowd has not yet been convinced...

If I may jump in here...
IMHO its not really a matter of setup (unless you really prefer the metro tiles over the desktop)
Even in Win 8 (not 8.1), I simply used the setting to bypass the metro screens and booted into the desktop. Once in the desktop all is familiar, barring the missing start menu. To overcome that I just became familiar with some important hotkeys...see this thread. In addition to simply getting used to the interface, it grows quickly on you...you learn as you go along and sooner than later, the whole experience turns out to be nothing more than a few days of new discovery and minor adjustments. See this thread for more tips...

[weese237]

Thanks Rudi!

[weese237]

Hans, are you using a desktop or a laptop? Or both? I've gone to just using a laptop.

Louise

[HansV]

At home, I have a desktop with Windows 8.1.
At work, I use a laptop with Windows 7.