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file locked for editing - read only

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    Question file locked for editing - read only

    I have a worksheet I use constantly, and I'm the only user. I keep it on Dropbox so that it is accessible from both of my computers wherever I am. On one of my Macs (but not the other), I now get an error message that the file is "locked for editing - read only." If I click ok for read only, I quickly get a pop-up telling me the file has now been unlocked and I can open it for editing. If I click okay, the file shuts down completely. If I reopen it, it's the same process over again. I really need this file and I have no idea how it became corrupted. How do I fix this?

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    Re: file locked for editing - read only

    Try opening the file with the Mac that has no problem and save it locally under a NEW name.
    Delete the original file from Dropbox
    Upload file (with its new name) to Dropbox
    Download it and open it on the other Mac

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    Re: file locked for editing - read only

    Thank you, I tried what you suggested and it's good -- for now. The problem isn't with the file, it's Excel on my Mac. It shut down unexpectedly when I opened the new file. But at least, for now, I have access to the file.

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    Re: file locked for editing - read only

    Guessed that was the problem. Had similar issues. Locked files are a pain - something, somewhere has not been reset. Re-install of Excel on afflicted MAC will probably sort everything - and is easier than trying to work out where the problem is.

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    Re: file locked for editing - read only

    Mac computers create temporary files when you use Excel (and other applications). Locate these temp files and delete them. If Excel crashed or otherwise shut down incorrectly, temp files could be left behind that could interfere with the running of Excel.
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