Open files from the File menu - Microsoft Support
Tip: If you want to bypass File > Open and always use the Open dialog box, do this: Select File > Options > Save, and then select the Don’t show the Backstage when opening or saving files check box. Then, close and reopen any open Office applications. Note that this change only affects what you see when you press CTRL+O to access the Open Files dialog box.
Applies To:
Excel for Microsoft 365, Word for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, Access for Microsoft 365, Project Online Desktop Client, Publisher for Microsoft 365, Visio Plan 2, Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac, PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Excel 2021, Word 2021, PowerPoint 2021, Access 2021, Project Professional 2021, Project Standard 2021, Publisher 2021, Visio Professional 2021, Visio Standard 2021, Excel 2021 for Mac, Word 2021 for Mac, PowerPoint 2021 for Mac, Excel 2019, Word 2019, PowerPoint 2019, Access 2019, Project Professional 2019, Project Standard 2019, Publisher 2019, Visio Professional 2019, Visio Standard 2019, Excel 2019 for Mac, Word 2019 for Mac, PowerPoint 2019 for Mac, Excel 2016, Word 2016, PowerPoint 2016, Access 2016, Project Professional 2016, Project Standard 2016, Publisher 2016, Visio Professional 2016, Visio Standard 2016