4 replies to this topic

[jerzdawg]

I cannot figure out how to prevent/fix this issue from happening.

Brand new excel file with a minimal spreadsheet, save the file on a shared network drive @ work. Mark the file to be shared and "Allow changes by more than one user at a time. This also allows workbook merging." Save the file and email out the shortcut to a small group of users (usually less than 10, no more than 1 or 2 people will have the file open at 1 time).

Yesterday after 1 user opened the file, it became locked. Even after the user closed out, I was not able to open it again. The users name is listed as having the file open/locked (which they do not have Excel opened at all). I am also not able to delete the file as it says that the file is open in another program.

Ive searched online for this and I have found plenty of topics but there doesnt seem to be a solution. If I call the help desk at work they can usually get the file "unlocked" but I would rather avoid that and figure out how to prevent this from happening in the first place. Using Windows 7 enterprise and Office 2010.

Hopefully someone has an answer for me because this is driving me nuts. Thanks!

[GreyWolf]

Check the processes on the computer that opened it and make sure Excel isn't still running. I think there's also a hidden lock file that gets created on the share to track the locks so if you can find it removing/renaming it may work.

[jerzdawg]

GreyWolf, on 19 March 2013 - 14:46, said:

Check the processes on the computer that opened it and make sure Excel isn't still running. I think there's also a hidden lock file that gets created on the share to track the locks so if you can find it removing/renaming it may work.

No processes are running, I tried the file before the person even logged onto their computer this morning. How would I find this "hidden lock file", I have "show hidden files" and there are no additional files in the folder where the file is located.

[GreyWolf]

Is it stored on a Windows server? The indexing service may be locking it.
Also, if you can get it to open at all I think there's an option to "close open file" but I cannot remember where it is.

EDIT: I just found this post on TechNet for Office locking issues that might help you: http://blogs.technet...-file-post.aspx

Apparently sometimes it can "lie" and tell you the wrong user has the file opened.

[jerzdawg]

GreyWolf, on 19 March 2013 - 14:51, said:

Is it stored on a Windows server? The indexing service may be locking it.
Also, if you can get it to open at all I think there's an option to "close open file" but I cannot remember where it is.

EDIT: I just found this post on TechNet for Office locking issues that might help you: http://blogs.technet...-file-post.aspx

Apparently sometimes it can "lie" and tell you the wrong user has the file opened.

Thanks.. I've def seen the "lie" because many files have said it was locked by me. Going to try a few things from the page you posted. Ill post back with results