Over writing problem, but not because of shared spreadsheet

[amy22x3]

I have a master file that contains a master tab that is linked to the other eight tabs. Each of these tabs is for a specific person representing a specific region. The problem is that this master spreadsheet is sent out to the eight people and is then received back from each of these eight people. I can't save each of these files to the original name because then any changes from another user are erased. How do I avoid this? We are not on a shared drive so sharing the workbook is not an option. And because these spreadsheets are constantly going back and forth, trying to remember which tab has been copied and pasted manually to a seperate Master spreadsheet is cumbersome and open to human error. Is there a way to automate this process?

[EdMac]

Hi,

I would split into 9 (8+1) spread sheets.

Master is then linked to all and looks up it values from the individual sheets you have.

When sheet is returned, overwrite old version (saving a copy of old version first if required under a different name)

[SamuelT]

Hi,

Probably the best way is to rename each file that goes out to each region and then link them to your master spreadsheet. Saving and overwriting each regional version if and when it comes.

Thus, you might send the document to (let's say) your Vancouver office as MasterDoc_Vancouver.xls (and they're editing the worksheet called 'Vancouver'. Then in your master document's Vancouver worksheet, you'd simply do:

=[MasterDoc_Vancouver.xls]Vancouver!A1

Put this is the corresponding cells and drag in to pick up the data. Everytime you save the updated sheet, it'll update too.

HTH,

SamuelT

[amy22x3]

Thank you both for your responses. This is what I figured I'd have to do, but I had to check for a magic button.