Excel question

[Dutchy]

In a shared drive environment if a person goes to open an excel file that is already open by someone else, it comes up "read only" and that person cannot update and save the document.

Is there anyway to amend the excel file so this doesnt happen, so multiple people can access the file at the same time, edit it and save it?

If not possible its fine, just thought it might be?

[Wedgie]

Not with Excel mate, there's no version control system. You'd have to convert your data to something like access or get a big hat that the current user can wear letting others no he's in it.

[gadj1976]

I used 2007 at a previous work location, and it was supported. It then asked "which changes should override" (yours or someone elses).

It doesn't seem to be supported in previous versions of excel though.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel ... 31033.aspx

[Dutchy]

Thansk Gents

[dedja]

I'm struggling to understand why you would want that anyway?

[Psyber]

I'm struggling to understand why you would want that anyway?

Yes it sounds risky - someone's work is going to be lost in the scenario gadj1976 describes..

[gadj1976]

I'm struggling to understand why you would want that anyway?

Yes it sounds risky - someone's work is going to be lost in the scenario gadj1976 describes..

Not ideal I agree, but in most projects I've worked on where people don't communicate with each other, this is the best way. I normally use it on issues registers or project registers where cells are updated simultaneously. If you update one cell (say D5), and someone updates another (say T8), then both will be saved, alleviating the loss of data from either user.

[devilsadvocate]

In a shared drive environment if a person goes to open an excel file that is already open by someone else, it comes up "read only" and that person cannot update and save the document.

Is there anyway to amend the excel file so this doesnt happen, so multiple people can access the file at the same time, edit it and save it?

If not possible its fine, just thought it might be?

This is possible mate.

If you're using 2007, go to the 'Review' tab and hit the 'Share Workbook' icon. This will bring up a new window. In the 'editing' tab in the new window, check the box 'Allow shanges by more than one user at the same time'.

Then go to the 'Advanced' tab in the new window and check the settings. I would recommend selecting the option to 'Ask me which changes win' under the 'Conflicting chancges between users' option.

You can also set restrcitions on which network users can modify the spreadhseet and those that can only access it 'read-only'.

This has been possible with every version of Excel I've ever worked with.

I'm struggling to understand why you would want that anyway?

Yes it sounds risky - someone's work is going to be lost in the scenario gadj1976 describes..

Not ideal I agree, but in most projects I've worked on where people don't communicate with each other, this is the best way. I normally use it on issues registers or project registers where cells are updated simultaneously. If you update one cell (say D5), and someone updates another (say T8), then both will be saved, alleviating the loss of data from either user.

I've used this function LOADS in the past. For example:

We have a national end of month sales forecasting file, with a seperate tab for each state. This then feeds up into a national forecast. With 5 state analysts working on sales forecasts due on the last working day of each month, these guys will all want to use the file at the same time. So this multiple users function is brilliant.

It can be risky, but only if it's abused or not setup correctly in the first place.

[Wedgie]

Nice work DA! I might find a use for that in the future and was completely ignorant of it. Must admit our work only recently switched from Lotus to Microsoft so Im learning new things all time.
Thanks again DA!

[White Line Fever]

Hello, I too have an excel question.
I'm pretty sure there is a simple way around this one, but when i get an outlook email with an excel attachment, i need to update details on attachment then send back, but unless i save the spreadsheet onto my harddrive, make changes then save as, then email back separately it.

I want to be able to open attachment, change it, press save then reply back. alot quicker. But if i try it that way, it just sends back the original attachment with no changes?

[devilsadvocate]

Nice work DA! I might find a use for that in the future and was completely ignorant of it. Must admit our work only recently switched from Lotus to Microsoft so Im learning new things all time.
Thanks again DA!

No worries mate.
I'm an Excel tragic. Absolutely obsessed with it because it can do pretty much ANYTHING.
If you have any questions, fire away. There are stacks of forums filled with Excel nerds where I've learned most of my tricks too.

[devilsadvocate]

Hello, I too have an excel question.
I'm pretty sure there is a simple way around this one, but when i get an outlook email with an excel attachment, i need to update details on attachment then send back, but unless i save the spreadsheet onto my harddrive, make changes then save as, then email back separately it.

I want to be able to open attachment, change it, press save then reply back. alot quicker. But if i try it that way, it just sends back the original attachment with no changes?

When you open the attachement, the file will be saved in a temp folder on your hard-drive. Simply make your changes, press save, then go to the office button in the top left hand corner (for Excel 2007) and select 'Send', then 'Email'. This will take the current file you have open (including and changes) and attach it to an email, which you can fire back to whoever you need to.

[White Line Fever]

Hello, I too have an excel question.
I'm pretty sure there is a simple way around this one, but when i get an outlook email with an excel attachment, i need to update details on attachment then send back, but unless i save the spreadsheet onto my harddrive, make changes then save as, then email back separately it.

I want to be able to open attachment, change it, press save then reply back. alot quicker. But if i try it that way, it just sends back the original attachment with no changes?

When you open the attachement, the file will be saved in a temp folder on your hard-drive. Simply make your changes, press save, then go to the office button in the top left hand corner (for Excel 2007) and select 'Send', then 'Email'. This will take the current file you have open (including and changes) and attach it to an email, which you can fire back to whoever you need to.

Brilliant.
Thanks

[Dutchy]

Thanks DA, unfortuantely we are dealing with 2003 version

[gadj1976]

Thanks DA, unfortuantely we are dealing with 2003 version

Dutchy, instead of clicking the office button top left, in Excel 2003 you follow: File > Send To > Mail Recipient.

Does the same thing - just not as fancy as Excel 2007.

[devilsadvocate]

Thanks DA, unfortuantely we are dealing with 2003 version

It's still available mate.

Just go to the 'Tools' menu and select 'Share Workbook'. Then follow the same process as I listed previously.

[prowling panther]

Thanks DA, I have been wondering the same thing, those that I have asked tell me it can be done, but didnt know how, I'll put that one in my tips'n'tricks folder

[White Line Fever]

I have another Excel question for the gurus.

Can I format a cell in a spreadsheet that has a date, to automatically put in today's date(or the current date) each time I open it?

Cheers

[Mr Beefy]

I have another Excel question for the gurus.

Can I format a cell in a spreadsheet that has a date, to automatically put in today's date(or the current date) each time I open it?

Cheers

Yes you can =Now()

[White Line Fever]

I have another Excel question for the gurus.

Can I format a cell in a spreadsheet that has a date, to automatically put in today's date(or the current date) each time I open it?

Cheers

Yes you can =Now()

Beefy your a legend.