Whe users open a shared excel file they intermitantly get a pop up message file locked for editing by another user and they can open as raed only or notify. If you choose notify then as the file opens it is then available for editing and can be opened as read write. If you look at the shared list no one has it opened apart from the user, who has opened it. I have seen a reply about temp files cuasing the problem, but when i try and replicate this by finding a temp file and copying it into the shared directory and then renaming it to the same name as the file being opened, but starting ~$ the normal file opened as it should without any pop up boxes appearing.