read-only file

J

jim

Have a Excel 2007 file that will opens only as read-only. When opening the
file it does not ask if you want to open it as read-only – just opens it as
read-only. Using the drop down “open†button in the open file still makes
the file read-only. Security Warning options indicate the read-only file
itself is the danger! Finally, file read-only attribute is unchecked in file
properties. Want to be able to edit the spreadsheet. Ideas?
 
D

Dave Peterson

First, you can edit any workbook you can open -- even the readonly files. But
you won't be able to save it back to its original location using the same name
if its marked readonly.

Second, my guess is that the file is located on a network share that you only
have readonly access to. Excel and windows work together nicely. If excel sees
that the file is in a location that you cannot save to, it won't even bother
giving you a prompt.

There's nothing that you can do at that point that can change the way it's
opened.

(But excel does like to warn you by putting "[Read-Only]" in the title bar!
 
J

jim

Problem is I am not on a network - a single PC connected directly to the web
- and when I open the workbook I only see the cell contents in the cell and
not on the edit line. Don't see any formulas, text or numbers in the edit
line. Can not even type anything into any cell. When I look at Review
Change to see if the cells are locked, the Rewiew Changes menu is completely
unavailable as are most other menu functions. Any more ideas? Thanks.



Dave Peterson said:
First, you can edit any workbook you can open -- even the readonly files. But
you won't be able to save it back to its original location using the same name
if its marked readonly.

Second, my guess is that the file is located on a network share that you only
have readonly access to. Excel and windows work together nicely. If excel sees
that the file is in a location that you cannot save to, it won't even bother
giving you a prompt.

There's nothing that you can do at that point that can change the way it's
opened.

(But excel does like to warn you by putting "[Read-Only]" in the title bar!
Have a Excel 2007 file that will opens only as read-only. When opening the
file it does not ask if you want to open it as read-only – just opens it as
read-only. Using the drop down “open†button in the open file still makes
the file read-only. Security Warning options indicate the read-only file
itself is the danger! Finally, file read-only attribute is unchecked in file
properties. Want to be able to edit the spreadsheet. Ideas?
 
D

Dave Peterson

This new description isn't for a read-only file.

It sounds to me like the worksheet is protected and the cells are locked.

If you lock cells and check hidden on the format|cells|Protection tab, then you
won't see the formulas or values in the formula bar.

And it also sounds like that there's a macro that's running (when you open the
workbook) that disables lots of options.

I would do this:
Close excel
restart excel in safe mode:
Windows start button|run
Type:
excel /safe

Then use file|open to open the troublesome workbook.

Opening excel in safe mode stops those macros from running. You should have
access to the options in the toolbars--especially
Tools|protection|unprotect worksheet

But you will have to provide a password.

If you don't have a password, then go back to the developer and explain what
you're going to do and why you need it.


Problem is I am not on a network - a single PC connected directly to the web
- and when I open the workbook I only see the cell contents in the cell and
not on the edit line. Don't see any formulas, text or numbers in the edit
line. Can not even type anything into any cell. When I look at Review
Change to see if the cells are locked, the Rewiew Changes menu is completely
unavailable as are most other menu functions. Any more ideas? Thanks.

Dave Peterson said:
First, you can edit any workbook you can open -- even the readonly files. But
you won't be able to save it back to its original location using the same name
if its marked readonly.

Second, my guess is that the file is located on a network share that you only
have readonly access to. Excel and windows work together nicely. If excel sees
that the file is in a location that you cannot save to, it won't even bother
giving you a prompt.

There's nothing that you can do at that point that can change the way it's
opened.

(But excel does like to warn you by putting "[Read-Only]" in the title bar!
Have a Excel 2007 file that will opens only as read-only. When opening the
file it does not ask if you want to open it as read-only – just opens it as
read-only. Using the drop down “open†button in the open file still makes
the file read-only. Security Warning options indicate the read-only file
itself is the danger! Finally, file read-only attribute is unchecked in file
properties. Want to be able to edit the spreadsheet. Ideas?
 
J

jim

This is a good one! I started in Excel Safe and the same issues happen -
workbook opens automaticly in read-only and all of the commands under
"Review/ Changes" are unavailable. Also no macros are listed under "View/
Macro". So far this is the only workbook giving me the problem! I am in
Excel 2007.

Jim

Dave Peterson said:
This new description isn't for a read-only file.

It sounds to me like the worksheet is protected and the cells are locked.

If you lock cells and check hidden on the format|cells|Protection tab, then you
won't see the formulas or values in the formula bar.

And it also sounds like that there's a macro that's running (when you open the
workbook) that disables lots of options.

I would do this:
Close excel
restart excel in safe mode:
Windows start button|run
Type:
excel /safe

Then use file|open to open the troublesome workbook.

Opening excel in safe mode stops those macros from running. You should have
access to the options in the toolbars--especially
Tools|protection|unprotect worksheet

But you will have to provide a password.

If you don't have a password, then go back to the developer and explain what
you're going to do and why you need it.


Problem is I am not on a network - a single PC connected directly to the web
- and when I open the workbook I only see the cell contents in the cell and
not on the edit line. Don't see any formulas, text or numbers in the edit
line. Can not even type anything into any cell. When I look at Review
Change to see if the cells are locked, the Rewiew Changes menu is completely
unavailable as are most other menu functions. Any more ideas? Thanks.

Dave Peterson said:
First, you can edit any workbook you can open -- even the readonly files. But
you won't be able to save it back to its original location using the same name
if its marked readonly.

Second, my guess is that the file is located on a network share that you only
have readonly access to. Excel and windows work together nicely. If excel sees
that the file is in a location that you cannot save to, it won't even bother
giving you a prompt.

There's nothing that you can do at that point that can change the way it's
opened.

(But excel does like to warn you by putting "[Read-Only]" in the title bar!

jim wrote:

Have a Excel 2007 file that will opens only as read-only. When opening the
file it does not ask if you want to open it as read-only – just opens it as
read-only. Using the drop down “open†button in the open file still makes
the file read-only. Security Warning options indicate the read-only file
itself is the danger! Finally, file read-only attribute is unchecked in file
properties. Want to be able to edit the spreadsheet. Ideas?
 
D

Dave Peterson

I didn't realize that you were using xl2007. So those instructions for the menu
items won't apply.

But if the worksheet is protected and those cells are locked, you'll see what
you're describing. If you start a new workbook, you don't have any of these
problems, right???

I think it's time to ask the developer for the password so that you can
unprotect the worksheet.


This is a good one! I started in Excel Safe and the same issues happen -
workbook opens automaticly in read-only and all of the commands under
"Review/ Changes" are unavailable. Also no macros are listed under "View/
Macro". So far this is the only workbook giving me the problem! I am in
Excel 2007.

Jim

Dave Peterson said:
This new description isn't for a read-only file.

It sounds to me like the worksheet is protected and the cells are locked.

If you lock cells and check hidden on the format|cells|Protection tab, then you
won't see the formulas or values in the formula bar.

And it also sounds like that there's a macro that's running (when you open the
workbook) that disables lots of options.

I would do this:
Close excel
restart excel in safe mode:
Windows start button|run
Type:
excel /safe

Then use file|open to open the troublesome workbook.

Opening excel in safe mode stops those macros from running. You should have
access to the options in the toolbars--especially
Tools|protection|unprotect worksheet

But you will have to provide a password.

If you don't have a password, then go back to the developer and explain what
you're going to do and why you need it.


Problem is I am not on a network - a single PC connected directly to the web
- and when I open the workbook I only see the cell contents in the cell and
not on the edit line. Don't see any formulas, text or numbers in the edit
line. Can not even type anything into any cell. When I look at Review
Change to see if the cells are locked, the Rewiew Changes menu is completely
unavailable as are most other menu functions. Any more ideas? Thanks.

:

First, you can edit any workbook you can open -- even the readonly files. But
you won't be able to save it back to its original location using the same name
if its marked readonly.

Second, my guess is that the file is located on a network share that you only
have readonly access to. Excel and windows work together nicely. If excel sees
that the file is in a location that you cannot save to, it won't even bother
giving you a prompt.

There's nothing that you can do at that point that can change the way it's
opened.

(But excel does like to warn you by putting "[Read-Only]" in the title bar!

jim wrote:

Have a Excel 2007 file that will opens only as read-only. When opening the
file it does not ask if you want to open it as read-only – just opens it as
read-only. Using the drop down “open†button in the open file still makes
the file read-only. Security Warning options indicate the read-only file
itself is the danger! Finally, file read-only attribute is unchecked in file
properties. Want to be able to edit the spreadsheet. Ideas?
 
J

jim

Sorry about the Excel 2007 confusion. Yes to your question of there is no
problem with other workbooks. Problem is I am the developer! I last used
this workbook about 6 months ago so I don't remember ever locking it. No
where does the workbook ask for a password. When you open VB, there are no
macros listed.

Jim

Dave Peterson said:
I didn't realize that you were using xl2007. So those instructions for the menu
items won't apply.

But if the worksheet is protected and those cells are locked, you'll see what
you're describing. If you start a new workbook, you don't have any of these
problems, right???

I think it's time to ask the developer for the password so that you can
unprotect the worksheet.


This is a good one! I started in Excel Safe and the same issues happen -
workbook opens automaticly in read-only and all of the commands under
"Review/ Changes" are unavailable. Also no macros are listed under "View/
Macro". So far this is the only workbook giving me the problem! I am in
Excel 2007.

Jim

Dave Peterson said:
This new description isn't for a read-only file.

It sounds to me like the worksheet is protected and the cells are locked.

If you lock cells and check hidden on the format|cells|Protection tab, then you
won't see the formulas or values in the formula bar.

And it also sounds like that there's a macro that's running (when you open the
workbook) that disables lots of options.

I would do this:
Close excel
restart excel in safe mode:
Windows start button|run
Type:
excel /safe

Then use file|open to open the troublesome workbook.

Opening excel in safe mode stops those macros from running. You should have
access to the options in the toolbars--especially
Tools|protection|unprotect worksheet

But you will have to provide a password.

If you don't have a password, then go back to the developer and explain what
you're going to do and why you need it.



jim wrote:

Problem is I am not on a network - a single PC connected directly to the web
- and when I open the workbook I only see the cell contents in the cell and
not on the edit line. Don't see any formulas, text or numbers in the edit
line. Can not even type anything into any cell. When I look at Review
Change to see if the cells are locked, the Rewiew Changes menu is completely
unavailable as are most other menu functions. Any more ideas? Thanks.

:

First, you can edit any workbook you can open -- even the readonly files. But
you won't be able to save it back to its original location using the same name
if its marked readonly.

Second, my guess is that the file is located on a network share that you only
have readonly access to. Excel and windows work together nicely. If excel sees
that the file is in a location that you cannot save to, it won't even bother
giving you a prompt.

There's nothing that you can do at that point that can change the way it's
opened.

(But excel does like to warn you by putting "[Read-Only]" in the title bar!

jim wrote:

Have a Excel 2007 file that will opens only as read-only. When opening the
file it does not ask if you want to open it as read-only – just opens it as
read-only. Using the drop down “open†button in the open file still makes
the file read-only. Security Warning options indicate the read-only file
itself is the danger! Finally, file read-only attribute is unchecked in file
properties. Want to be able to edit the spreadsheet. Ideas?
 
D

Dave Peterson

It sounds like the problem is that the worksheet is protected. Nothing to do
with macros.

Look on the Review tab, Changes group. Click the Unprotect Sheet icon.

You may have to provide a password.

If all those choices on that ribbon's group are disabled, then there must be a
macro somewhere (a different workbook's project???) that's doing the work.

I'd look for that.

You may want to read JE McGimpsey's notes on protection:
http://mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html


Sorry about the Excel 2007 confusion. Yes to your question of there is no
problem with other workbooks. Problem is I am the developer! I last used
this workbook about 6 months ago so I don't remember ever locking it. No
where does the workbook ask for a password. When you open VB, there are no
macros listed.

Jim

Dave Peterson said:
I didn't realize that you were using xl2007. So those instructions for the menu
items won't apply.

But if the worksheet is protected and those cells are locked, you'll see what
you're describing. If you start a new workbook, you don't have any of these
problems, right???

I think it's time to ask the developer for the password so that you can
unprotect the worksheet.


This is a good one! I started in Excel Safe and the same issues happen -
workbook opens automaticly in read-only and all of the commands under
"Review/ Changes" are unavailable. Also no macros are listed under "View/
Macro". So far this is the only workbook giving me the problem! I am in
Excel 2007.

Jim

:

This new description isn't for a read-only file.

It sounds to me like the worksheet is protected and the cells are locked.

If you lock cells and check hidden on the format|cells|Protection tab, then you
won't see the formulas or values in the formula bar.

And it also sounds like that there's a macro that's running (when you open the
workbook) that disables lots of options.

I would do this:
Close excel
restart excel in safe mode:
Windows start button|run
Type:
excel /safe

Then use file|open to open the troublesome workbook.

Opening excel in safe mode stops those macros from running. You should have
access to the options in the toolbars--especially
Tools|protection|unprotect worksheet

But you will have to provide a password.

If you don't have a password, then go back to the developer and explain what
you're going to do and why you need it.



jim wrote:

Problem is I am not on a network - a single PC connected directly to the web
- and when I open the workbook I only see the cell contents in the cell and
not on the edit line. Don't see any formulas, text or numbers in the edit
line. Can not even type anything into any cell. When I look at Review
Change to see if the cells are locked, the Rewiew Changes menu is completely
unavailable as are most other menu functions. Any more ideas? Thanks.

:

First, you can edit any workbook you can open -- even the readonly files. But
you won't be able to save it back to its original location using the same name
if its marked readonly.

Second, my guess is that the file is located on a network share that you only
have readonly access to. Excel and windows work together nicely. If excel sees
that the file is in a location that you cannot save to, it won't even bother
giving you a prompt.

There's nothing that you can do at that point that can change the way it's
opened.

(But excel does like to warn you by putting "[Read-Only]" in the title bar!

jim wrote:

Have a Excel 2007 file that will opens only as read-only. When opening the
file it does not ask if you want to open it as read-only – just opens it as
read-only. Using the drop down “open†button in the open file still makes
the file read-only. Security Warning options indicate the read-only file
itself is the danger! Finally, file read-only attribute is unchecked in file
properties. Want to be able to edit the spreadsheet. Ideas?
 
J

jim

That did the trick. Back in business. Thanks for you help.

Jim

Dave Peterson said:
It sounds like the problem is that the worksheet is protected. Nothing to do
with macros.

Look on the Review tab, Changes group. Click the Unprotect Sheet icon.

You may have to provide a password.

If all those choices on that ribbon's group are disabled, then there must be a
macro somewhere (a different workbook's project???) that's doing the work.

I'd look for that.

You may want to read JE McGimpsey's notes on protection:
http://mcgimpsey.com/excel/removepwords.html


Sorry about the Excel 2007 confusion. Yes to your question of there is no
problem with other workbooks. Problem is I am the developer! I last used
this workbook about 6 months ago so I don't remember ever locking it. No
where does the workbook ask for a password. When you open VB, there are no
macros listed.

Jim

Dave Peterson said:
I didn't realize that you were using xl2007. So those instructions for the menu
items won't apply.

But if the worksheet is protected and those cells are locked, you'll see what
you're describing. If you start a new workbook, you don't have any of these
problems, right???

I think it's time to ask the developer for the password so that you can
unprotect the worksheet.



jim wrote:

This is a good one! I started in Excel Safe and the same issues happen -
workbook opens automaticly in read-only and all of the commands under
"Review/ Changes" are unavailable. Also no macros are listed under "View/
Macro". So far this is the only workbook giving me the problem! I am in
Excel 2007.

Jim

:

This new description isn't for a read-only file.

It sounds to me like the worksheet is protected and the cells are locked.

If you lock cells and check hidden on the format|cells|Protection tab, then you
won't see the formulas or values in the formula bar.

And it also sounds like that there's a macro that's running (when you open the
workbook) that disables lots of options.

I would do this:
Close excel
restart excel in safe mode:
Windows start button|run
Type:
excel /safe

Then use file|open to open the troublesome workbook.

Opening excel in safe mode stops those macros from running. You should have
access to the options in the toolbars--especially
Tools|protection|unprotect worksheet

But you will have to provide a password.

If you don't have a password, then go back to the developer and explain what
you're going to do and why you need it.



jim wrote:

Problem is I am not on a network - a single PC connected directly to the web
- and when I open the workbook I only see the cell contents in the cell and
not on the edit line. Don't see any formulas, text or numbers in the edit
line. Can not even type anything into any cell. When I look at Review
Change to see if the cells are locked, the Rewiew Changes menu is completely
unavailable as are most other menu functions. Any more ideas? Thanks.

:

First, you can edit any workbook you can open -- even the readonly files. But
you won't be able to save it back to its original location using the same name
if its marked readonly.

Second, my guess is that the file is located on a network share that you only
have readonly access to. Excel and windows work together nicely. If excel sees
that the file is in a location that you cannot save to, it won't even bother
giving you a prompt.

There's nothing that you can do at that point that can change the way it's
opened.

(But excel does like to warn you by putting "[Read-Only]" in the title bar!

jim wrote:

Have a Excel 2007 file that will opens only as read-only. When opening the
file it does not ask if you want to open it as read-only – just opens it as
read-only. Using the drop down “open†button in the open file still makes
the file read-only. Security Warning options indicate the read-only file
itself is the danger! Finally, file read-only attribute is unchecked in file
properties. Want to be able to edit the spreadsheet. Ideas?
 

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