[Solved] Files opening in strange characters

[kerrally]

Hello,
Whenever I opened a file I was asked what I wanted to open it as and then a few weeks ago on my home computer I accidently clicked the wrong thing and now when I attempt to open any of my files/folders, they are showing in what I call 'wing-dings' just all different characters not in English. This is only happening at home, I can open the files regulary at work including recent ones I have saved, just not at home.
How do I tell my computer to open them the way I can read them or do I have to delete this version of open office and reload it again.?
cheers
Kerri

Title Edited. A descriptive title for posts helps others who are searching for solutions and increases your chances of a reply. (TheGurkha, Moderator)

[RoryOF]

We need information on what operating system you are running. You should use your Forum User Control Panel to add this to your signature, as it saves being asked for this repeatedly.

Assuming you are running windows, and that your problem is with Writer files, do this: Right click on a file of the type you wish to open (.odt?) and select Open With; now scroll down to the program you wish to open it (sWriter.exe?) and click on that. Check the always open with this program box, and press OK. You can do similarly (suitably changed) for other file types, whether OpenOffice or not. sCalc and .ods., sImpress and .odp, Adobe Reader and .pdf.

[TheGurkha]

It isn't normal to be asked what you want it to open as - they should just open.

Make sure you are saving the files so that they have extensions on them. Either .odt, .doc and so on.

In the File Save and File SAve As dialogs make sure you have the 'Automatic File Name Extension' option selected.

[kerrally]

Hello to the helpful people who posted replies...
I have done as suggested and it is now normal again...
Huge thank you for taking away my frustrations...
cheers
Kerri