Hi ROB968323

I've just set up a shortcut on my desktop with this in the target box :
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE" /e
This opens Excel with just the grey screen.

Quote Originally Posted by ROB968323
when I open an existing spreadsheet from a shortcut that is the ONLY thing that I want opened
My installation doesn't do this, and I'm not sure if the switch above will cure that for you - I don't know of any other setting that will sort this out for you. Try the above and post back what happens.

HTH

DominicB