Multiple users with Excel workbook

[A.]

Hi

I have a case where multiple users need access to a Excel workbook. As of
today, one user opens the workbook and as write and read rights, and the
other users only have read access. To a certain degree this works. But, now
they wonder if there are any way that the modifications the users who has
read/write access can be made available for the users who only have read
access. Today those users have to close down the document and open it up
again to see the modifications.
I realize that what we are talking about here might be something that we
should implement in a database, and only use Excel as some kind of front-end
for the data.

Any input would be appreciated.

/A

 

[JP]

You could share the workbook. That would allow everyone to open the
file and make changes simultaneously. The changes would be visible to
all users as soon as you hit Save. Unfortunately that means that the
other users will have full edit access to the file (not just read
only).

In Excel 2003, go to Tools>Share Workbook, click "Allow changes"
checkbox.


HTH
JP

 

[A.]

Thanks

I didn't know of this feature. I'll give it a try.

/A

You could share the workbook. That would allow everyone to open the
file and make changes simultaneously. The changes would be visible to
all users as soon as you hit Save. Unfortunately that means that the
other users will have full edit access to the file (not just read
only).

In Excel 2003, go to Tools>Share Workbook, click "Allow changes"
checkbox.


HTH
JP

 

[Kevin B]

In addition to JP's comment, when you share the workbook by clicking
TOOLS/SHARE WORKBOOK click the ADVANCED tab. In the middle of the page in t
UPDATE CHANGES panel, set the workbook to automatically save the shared
workbook at intervals of every xx minutes. That way the users won't have to
manually do a save to see other user's updates.

 

[A.]

Hi

We've tried it out and it works. But we have one problem.
The workbook uses external datasources. When the workbook is shared, the
entire "external data" toolbar is greyed out, it is unavailable. How can we
refresh external data in a shared workbook?

/A
You could share the workbook. That would allow everyone to open the
file and make changes simultaneously. The changes would be visible to
all users as soon as you hit Save. Unfortunately that means that the
other users will have full edit access to the file (not just read
only).

In Excel 2003, go to Tools>Share Workbook, click "Allow changes"
checkbox.


HTH
JP

 

[JP]

The only way I know of is to periodically un-share it, refresh the
data, then re-share it.

--JP