[Solved] - Can't set OpenOffice as default for .xls files

[Toller]

I am trying to download some data from a website in Excel format. It says it can't because I don't have a program capable of using it; and refers me to setting default apps in settings. I go there and when I try by App it doesn't offer .XLS as a choice for OpenOffice. When I try by file type, it shows .XLS but says I don't have anything installed suitable.

Well! I use .XLS as the default format when I save OpenOffice spreadsheets, so it obvious is capable of using them. Why can't I choose OO as default for them?

Now... I can start OO and tell it to open the file in the download directory. It comes up with an import function; when I choose tab delimited it open up just fine. I initially thought the website was simply downloading tab delimited files instead of excel, even though the file has an .XLS extension, but that doesn't explain why setting won't let me make OO default for .XLS

Any way to make this work the way it seems like it should?

[Villeroy]

This is because Windows has become the worst desktop system of all times, particularly when you never learned how to tame the beast.

[Tutorial] Setting the default program for MS Office formats

[Bill]

Reinstall AOO and select the option to make AOO the default program for opening Excel files. That should install the Registry keys that let Windows know that Calc can open .xls files.

[Toller]

That fixed the app default problem.
It didn't fix the file downloading as tab delimited, but I expect that is a problem with the website.
Thanks

[robleyd]

It is not uncommon that websites provide delimited text files under the .xls extension - it makes for a smaller file and is capable of being opened by most spreadsheet applications; they can also be imported into some database applications if needed.