Why does it become read only?

[tazmanian24]

Hi All

I have produced a new work book, this has several worksheets, all are protected so only certain cells can have information entered into them.

When people recieve it via email, some are having no problems, until they come to reuse it!

The problem they tell me is when they reopen it it now says Read Only and when they try to for instance highlight and delete old information to replace with new, it says no read only.

I know it's something they are doing but not sure what to be able to tell them?

Also, is there someway you can put code in maybe to stop it going read only no matter what????

Thanks

[Richard Buttrey]

Hi,

Have you checked the Tools>Options>Security tab and then made sure the 'read only recommended' box is unticked?

When the users come to open the workbook are they seeing the question about wanting to open in read only mode, and if so what answer are they giving?

It would be useful to see the workbook in question so that we can better advise you. Upload it after removing or anonymising any sensitive data

Regards

[tazmanian24]

Hi no they are not getting the question about opening read only unfortunately.

I have checked the security and it wasn't ticked already.

Have uploaded for you to have a look at it.

The actual problem they have is once they have pasted data and theycome to delete the data the week after to put new data.....

What do you think?

Thanks

[Richard Buttrey]

Hi,

I can't replicate the problem on my PC.

Is this file also used by different people on a network server?

If so the file will be set to read only so that the 2nd and subsequent person to open the file don't overwrite the work of the first person to open it.

A similar thing can occur to your copy if you lose your network connection to the server.

Do any of these apply?

Regards

[tazmanian24]

We are all on a work network, so it is sent by me to through outlook to there emails?

One person couldn't get it to work full stop from the first time she opened it, 2 have had no problem until a week later they have reopened it, tried to delete and when they highlight the info and right click on clicking delete or clear contents it says no as read only.

The only way I can see round it s they have to use a blank template every week and not try to copy over what they did the previous week?

Thanks

[Richard Buttrey]

Hi,

I'm almost certain therefore that this is a network issue. I'm also guessing that the people who have the problem are clicking on the file name in the Outlook email and opening the network version of the file. I'd recommend that you advise all users to first save the file to their local PC before they work on it and use this local copy for all subsequent amendments.

Depending on what you're trying to achieve, if you want to consolidate results from what are now several files rather than one copy, you'll need to organise a process for doing this. That would typically be a macro in a control workbook that would automatically open each individual file (after they had been saved to a common path/folder) and create a consolidated version.

The other option would be to use the Tools>Share Workbook functionality of Excel. This allows different people to make changes but of course requires any conflicts to be resolved before finalisation.

Personally I've always preferred to use the macro consolidation option rather than the shared workbook since I find that easier to work with.

HTH

[tazmanian24]

Ok Richard thanks, that is helpful.

Makes sense it's a network issue as sometimes Head Office send me files and they are read only, even after saving.

I have no need for consolidations fortunately as they should keep a saved weekly copy anyway in reality.

I just need to get through to them about saving to local pc then using the new blank template every week!

Thanks again