Can't remove file name from recent file list.

[JohnZ1156]

I'm using MS Excel 2021.

When I click on <File> it shows me "Recent", "Pinned", and "Shared with Me".
There are files in the "Recent" list that I do not want to see.
If I "Right Click" on the file name and select, "Remove from List", nothing happens.

Also, if I "Right Click" on the file name in the Recent list that is also in my "Pinned" list and select, "Remove from List",
It removes it from the "Pinned" list, even though I "Right Clicked" in the Recent list.

1. Are these lists, "Recent and Pinned" separate lists?
2. How do I clear the files names ONLY in the "Recent" list?

If I goto <Options> <Advanced> <Display> <Show this number of Recent Workbooks> and change the number to 0, then all of my "Pinned" file names disappear too!

These file lists, "Recent' and "Pinned" do not work the way I expected.

 

[johnny51981]

Oh my gosh...thank you so much for asking this because I have been wondering the same thing. And I have found a solution that has worked for me.

When Excel is just open, click on the Open selection on the left side of the Excel window.
Select Recent, if not already defaulted.
You will then see "Workbooks" and "Folders"
Right Click over one of the files listed in the "Workbooks" and then select "Clear Unpinned Items".

I have done this, closed out and reopened Excel, and they are still gone. Maybe that will work for you too?

 

[JohnZ1156]

Thank you for your reply.

I did what you suggested, and it worked, sort of?

But now, my "Recent" list and my "Pinned" list are identical, even though there are files in my "Pinned" list that I have not recently opened.
With one exception, my "Pinned" list is sorted alphabetically. Same number of files however.

Why would a file show in my "Recent" list if I have not recently opened it? Just because it's in my "Pinned" list?

My understanding is that "Pinned" files are frequently used files, and "Recent" files are recently used files.
But it's possible that I may not have opened a "Pinned" file for more than a month, in my opinion, more than a month is not recent.

 

[Fluff]

My understanding is that "Pinned" files are frequently used files

That is not correct. Pinned files are files that you pinned so thay are are readily accessible, it shouldn't matter when you last opened one.

 

[JohnZ1156]

Then, why do they show up in the "Recent" files list?
If I want to load a file that is readily accessible, I will select it from the "Pinned" list.
THEN, the file should become a "Recent" file.

 

[Fluff]

They don't show up for me under the Recent list unless I have opened them recently.

 

[Alex Blakenburg]

I don’t know much about this but see if this helps.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us..."recent" dates. File paths are the exact same.

Or this
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...-entries/782388a6-6a9a-49e5-a032-477462e58feb