Setting Excel as the default program for opening spreadsheets on a Mac is a useful customization that can streamline your workflow. As a Mac user, I’ve often found it frustrating when my Mac opens spreadsheets in a program other than Excel, so I’ve learned how to make this adjustment. Below, I’ll share the detailed steps to set Excel as the default program for opening spreadsheets on a Mac.
Step 1: Locate an Excel File
First, I locate an Excel file on my Mac. This can be any existing Excel file or a new one that I create.
Step 2: Right-click and Get Info
Next, I right-click on the Excel file and select “Get Info” from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, I can select the file and press Command + I on the keyboard to open the Get Info window.
Step 3: Choose “Open With” and Select Excel
Within the Get Info window, I navigate to the “Open with” section. Here, I click on the dropdown arrow to expand the options and choose Microsoft Excel from the list. After selecting Excel, I make sure to click on the “Change All” button located just below the application options. This step ensures that all files of the same type will open with Excel by default.
Step 4: Confirm the Change
After clicking “Change All,” a confirmation dialog box appears, asking if I want to change all similar documents to open with Excel. I click “Continue” to confirm this change, and now all Excel files will open with Excel by default.
Additional Tip: Use Quick Actions
As an additional tip, I’ve found that using Quick Actions in the Finder window can expedite the process of changing the default program for opening files. I simply select the Excel file in Finder, then expand the Quick Actions menu (it looks like a gear icon) and choose “Open With,” followed by selecting Microsoft Excel. This method also allows me to set Excel as the default program for opening spreadsheets.
Conclusion
Setting Excel as the default program for opening spreadsheets on a Mac can save time and improve efficiency. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that all your Excel files open in the desired application, streamlining your workflow and making it easier to access and work with your spreadsheets.