Pop up read only/notify message when workbook is allready opened

**Snoopy2003** · 11-25-2012, 10:30 AM

Hello,

I have an Excel workbook that is used by 2 user in the network.
When the file is opened by the first user
and the second user opens it, excel does not display a pop up message
(like: the workbook is already opened and can be read only).

How can set excel to pop up this message as it was in previous versions of excel
(the user could open the workbook as read only or being notified when the workbook can be opened for writing) ?

Thank you for your help

**thinkspac** · 11-25-2012, 11:11 AM

http://www.excelforum.com/excel-gene...n-missing.html

**Snoopy2003** · 11-25-2012, 02:08 PM

Hello,

Thank you for your answer.

There is no solution in the linked thread.

Is there any solution to this situation ?

Thank you for your help

**thinkspac** · 11-25-2012, 02:56 PM

Take a look at the following page; although I am sure you are already aware of this, but never hurts to review: Share Workbook to Collaborate.

Other than that, sharing and Read-Only functions are inherent issues in Excel. Sometimes they work flawlessly for users and systems, others they do not function at all (with no apparent cause or symptoms).

Ultimately, Shared Workbooks are not are not suitable for most businesses. Limited functionality, loss of data, corrupted files, "unexpected" data, loss of the complete file are common occurrences. Depending on exactly what you are trying to achieve, there are tons of other ways to accomplish your goal without using shared workbooks.

If users are using the workbook as a "calculator" type of setup, make the file read only or save it as a template.
If users are entering data on separate sheets (or can be made to use separate sheets), create separate workbooks and pull the data into another workbook that is protected.
If users are constantly updating/changing/querying data multiple times throughout the day, you should really consider a proper database.*

*Try using Excel to gather the information needed while porting it to SQL Server Express (FREE)