Shared files - read only on the fly

[Guest]

Hi all! Excel 2003 user here. I have several files on a shared network
drive. On occasion, I have the need to view only a file after I've opened
it. Other times, I may be working on a file and want to manipulate data and
not accidentally save the changes once I've opened the file.

Is there a way to change a file to "read only" after it's opened, without
closing it and reopening as read only?

As always - thanks in advance!

 

[RagDyer]

Why not just "Save As" as soon as you open it and then add a suffix to the
file name, such as "test".

Then, do as you please with this duplicate test WB, without chancing any
revisions to the original.

 

[Guest]

I need to keep the original file as is, and don't want to clutter up the
shared server with "extraneous files" if all I need to do is look at a file
for information that may be in it.

 

[RagDyer]

Save it to *your* C:\ drive!

 

[Bob I]

R-click on the file in Explorer and pick Properties, and tick the
Read-only box and OK. Now if you try to save changes to that file Excel
will throw a hissy fit.