How to open XML file with Excel?

Question

I want to develop a small tool which for open XML file and launch Excel automatically. The benefit for user who could save the excel file to .xls format very conveniently.

My Dev IDE: Windows XP pro & Visual Studio 2005.

The tool will running at Windows 2000 & Excel 2000. and there is no .net framework installed.

That means i can't code with C#. My choice is C++.

Answer 1

Oneliner:

int main() {
    system("Start Excel test.xml");
}

Answer 2

If I recall correctly you want to open an excel file and then auto launch xml editor?

A way is to add a option the the contect menu when rightclicking on the xls file.

Use register for this: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.xls\shell\

create a key (Default) and value something like "Open excel and xml editor" create a folder "command" and a key (Default) with value "path to your exe" "%L" in that folder.

Then in your app catch the param (which holds the xls) and then do something like this:

system(<var holding the xls name>);
system(<path to xml editor>):

Answer 3

You could use ShellExecute. It will automatically start program which associated with certain extension, or you could select program manually.