+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Shared file continuously locking

  1. #1
    Forum Contributor JP Romano's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-09-2008
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    MS-Off Ver
    2010
    Posts
    500

    Shared file continuously locking

    Hi all... I have about 14 people using a shared file (2007 version) that keeps locking up on us. This is a short term project, and there should have been 4-5 involved, but as our deadline was crunched, my management decided to throw more bodies onto it. If it wasn't due in 2 days, I'd convert to a database, but I just don't have time.

    Anyway, we keep bumping into problems when people save, where we get "file is locked for editing" or "file is locked by <person>"

    Do any of you know a good way to avoid this?

    Thanks for any help!
    Last edited by JP Romano; 12-14-2010 at 12:43 PM. Reason: Solved

  2. #2
    Forum Expert martindwilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    06-23-2007
    Location
    London,England
    MS-Off Ver
    office 97 ,2007
    Posts
    19,320

    Re: Shared file continuously locking

    nope they are all valid messages. think about how the file is laid out try to avoid situations where you may have several people filling in the same cell.
    "Unless otherwise stated all my comments are directed at OP"

    Mojito connoisseur and now happily retired
    where does code go ?
    look here
    how to insert code

    how to enter array formula

    why use -- in sumproduct
    recommended reading
    wiki Mojito

    how to say no convincingly

    most important thing you need
    Martin Wilson: SPV
    and RSMBC

  3. #3
    Forum Contributor JP Romano's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-09-2008
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    MS-Off Ver
    2010
    Posts
    500

    Re: Shared file continuously locking

    Thanks... but I thought if two people tried to save after updating the same cell, I would get a conflict message and "decide" which wins?

  4. #4
    Forum Expert martindwilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    06-23-2007
    Location
    London,England
    MS-Off Ver
    office 97 ,2007
    Posts
    19,320

    Re: Shared file continuously locking

    nope. you get that if one has already saved if both are saving at the same time one will save the other will say file locked for editing . they will have to wait try again and accept others changes then re enter their data, ( at this point the if the workbook is too bloated and or people are shown as sharing more than once whole thing may crash), excel is not very good at this sort of thing. thats why layout is important, sometimes it is just better to let everyone have their own sheet and then manually collate them at the end of the day
    some things to consider:
    1 how many users at once
    and often this will happen (20 users occasionally accessing is not really a problem but 20 users using it constantly would be)
    2,layout
    see attached
    3. user education
    they must save before entering if they are likely to overwrite cells used by others and always accept changes by others(make sure the ask me selection option is changed)
    4 housekeeping
    you will need to monitor the sharing to make sure users are not logged in multiple times.
    periodically make sure everyone has closed and saved then unshare reshare the work book
    keep an unshared back up copy yourself once a day or more regularly
    5. if things go wrong stop every one using the shared workbook.
    get each of them to save /as a local copy so you can cross check data.
    unshare workbook if you can, then reshare and get everyone one at a time to re enter their data.
    Attached Files Attached Files
    Last edited by martindwilson; 12-14-2010 at 12:44 PM.

  5. #5
    Forum Contributor JP Romano's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-09-2008
    Location
    Princeton, NJ
    MS-Off Ver
    2010
    Posts
    500

    Re: Shared file continuously locking

    Cool... thanks... was hoping there'd be a little magic trick but I guess what they say about an ounce of prevention is true here too!
    Appreciate your time.

+ Reply to Thread

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 RC 1