unsure what to do

No. Just ask it. You should always post the code you are having trouble with (and a sample workbook).

there is a search function whereby you can type in your "terms" and I find it works best when using the fewest terms.
But, if you are looking for something specific like embedding a vlookup in with a lot of if statements and you search on vlookup you will get every post that includes a vlookup in any formula used in the post.

It's usually best to post a workbook demonstrating the data you're dealing with and in that workbook manually mockup the "results" you're trying achieve with an explanation of how you reached that result. No need to guess at when formulas or functions are needed most of the time.

Hi scorpio-witch, welcome to the forum.

For this forum, and most others, I guess, it's worth spending a little time reading through the forum rules. As the other guys have said, provide as much information as you can, whilst not turning it into War and Peace. A sample workbook will nearly always help clarify your requirements and lead to a quick(er) and more appropriate answer.

Rule number 1 is intended to make the questions and answers more valuable to a wider audience. However, it does tend to focus the mind and help you to briefly ask the right question.

Think about what you would put into Google or Trip Advisor if you wanted to find a hotel in Birmingham ... you wouldn't put "Help - need somewhere to stay".

Talking of Google, that's actually a good place to start ... and chances are you will end up here because this forum is one of the biggest. But, if you want to ask a question about "Excel VBA looping through all the cells in a column", that's what you search for. If it's an Excel formula to count cells with a value greater than 50", that's what you search for.

Welcome again ... you've come to the right place!


Regards, TMS.

Email me a sample workbook at [email protected] and I'll have a look ...

@Andy: maybe not a good idea to publicise your email address like this.

I think the question should be asked in the general open forum, with a sample workbook attaché if appropriate.

However, I think the answer has more to do with the OP's understanding of shared workbooks, what the term means and the implications.

Regards, TMS

Hi scorpio-witch

We're not really interested in the content, or the volume of data. So, you only need a few records that are representative of the real workbook data. What is more important is that you follow the same process as you do with the real thing so we get a sample in the same state as your colleagues receive.

If you wish, you could send the test file to Andy as he has provided contact details, or you can use the hotmail dot com account for this user name. However, that does mean that only a few people will be able to offer targeted advice.

But, if you wish to pursue this question, please start a new thread with an appropriate title.

Regards, TMS

Hey Scorpio-witch,

When the e-mailed book comes read-only, as many do, it can be: saved under another name, worked on and renamed, after deleting the original, and sent back out. For me, that's common practice.

All - this is the Water Cooler, so a generic discussion of "how do I post?" or "proper posting etiquette" is perfectly fine here.

But when you're ready to discuss an actual Excel topic, please start a thread in the appropriate forum for that endeavor, attach your sample workbook there, as needed, to properly present the question. Make sure the thread is appropriately titled.

@JB: I did say:

But, if you wish to pursue this question, please start a new thread with an appropriate title.

... back in post #11

I was copying you. Again. It's what I do.

There is no link between any of us. ====> I have told the workbook to 'share' <====

office.microsoft.com about-shared-workbooks...‎ If you need input from several people, you can create a shared workbook and place it on a network location where they can edit it simultaneously.

Just an assumption:-

What I assume is in company network the C:\ drive is protected area and by default the program files are loaded in that drive.

Due to this the Microsoft Office Outlook will also resides in the protected zone of C drive. So opening the attachments of outlook mails will store the temporary file in C drive which is already marked as read only drive and which may be the root cause of this problem.

Ask the users to save the file in some other drive (which possess full rights) and check it.

This thread is like the tower of Babel.