Single-user Write / Multiple users Read-only Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter zsplash
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zsplash

I have an Excel spreadsheet, that is automatically modified (opened and
closed through VBA code) by a single-user. Other people need to have access
to this spreadsheet all the time (and the updates this single-user makes to
it) -- hence, the opening and closing of the spreadsheet. I made the
single-user the only one with write-permission, hoping that would avoid
problems if other users have the spreadsheet open when the single-user is
trying to modify the spreadsheet (through code).

So, if another user has the spreadsheet open, the single-user's
modifications do not "take" and the single-user gets a "file is already
opened" kind of message, asking if he wants to open read-only. Will my
making this a shared file, which I have not done, (with only the single-user
having write-permission) overcome this problem? If not, how can I solve the
problem?

TIA
 
Hi Zsplash,
I made the
single-user the only one with write-permission, hoping that would avoid
problems if other users have the spreadsheet open when the single-user is
trying to modify the spreadsheet (through code).
Click to expand...

It might be better to give the other users only 'Read' Permissions, then
Excel will always open it read-only for them

Regards

Stephen Bullen
Microsoft MVP - Excel
www.BMSLtd.co.uk
 
Thanks, Stephen. That is what I meant to say: I gave the single-user the
only write-permission; all other users have read-only permission.

What do you think about the shared workbook deal? I tried to implement it,
but it was complicated and didn't work with my current code (workbook is a
password-protected). I wonder if sharing would solve the problem.

st.
 
Thanks, Stephen. That is what I meant to say: I gave the single-user the
only write-permission; all other users have read-only permission.

What do you think about the shared workbook deal? I tried to implement it,
but it was complicated and didn't work with my current code (workbook is a
password-protected). I wonder if sharing would solve the problem.

st.
 
Thanks, Stephen. That is what I meant to say: I gave the single-user the
only write-permission; all other users have read-only permission.

What do you think about the shared workbook deal? I tried to implement it,
but it was complicated and didn't work with my current code (workbook is a
password-protected). I wonder if sharing would solve the problem.

st.
(This will be the third time I've responded? Can't figure out what the
trouble could be.....)
 
Hi Zsplash,
Thanks, Stephen. That is what I meant to say: I gave the single-user the
only write-permission; all other users have read-only permission.

What do you think about the shared workbook deal? I tried to implement it,
but it was complicated and didn't work with my current code (workbook is a
password-protected). I wonder if sharing would solve the problem.
Click to expand...

I personally avoid sharing a workbook as much as possible. If you only have
one person doing the saving, you should be able to set the users' permissions
such that Excel will always open it read-only for the majority (hence not
taking out any file locks) and read/write for the one person allowed to do
that (so Excel wouldn't give him the message).

The more robust solution would be to have two separate workbooks. A
data-entry workbook would allow people to enter their data and write it to a
centrally-available database. A 'review' workbook would query that database
on a regular basis, looking for updates.

Regards

Stephen Bullen
Microsoft MVP - Excel
www.BMSLtd.co.uk
 
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