how to unlock a file that is "locked for editing"

[Catherine]

I altered a file that I got from someone else. There is no one else using my
computer (a laptop). I saved and closed the file (the file MIGHT have been
closed with an unplanned shutdown). Now I cannot open the file for editing
because it says it is locked by ME. How do I either open it or delete it?
thank you.

 

[Nick Hodge]

Catherine

You could first try starting Excel in safe mode. To do this, in windows go
to Start>Run... and type excel.exe /safe (insert a space between exe and the
slash). Try opening, saving as a new file name the file. If that doesn't
work, try starting the computer in safe mode.

Re-boot and press F8 during the boot should give you the option. Try opening
the file in this state and then save as some other name or delete the file.

--
HTH
Nick Hodge
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Southampton, England
(e-mail address removed)
web: www.excelusergroup.org
web: www.nickhodge.co.uk

 

[Dave Peterson]

A couple more things to try:
http://contextures.com/xlfaqApp.html#ReadOnly
and
http://contextures.com/xlfaqApp.html#AlreadyOpen

Both from Debra Dalgleish's site.

 

[ciotadevid]

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http://www.excelunlocker.com/