shared excel file crashes for certain users

[LauraP]

Our shared file periodically won't open for certain users. If sharing is
disabled, the file opens without issue. The user experiencing the problem can
re-enable sharing and fix use the file temporarily, but the file will crash
again at a later date.

It is being opened in both excel 2003 and 2007 versions.

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[Jan Karel Pieterse]

Hi Laura,

Our shared file periodically won't open for certain users. If sharing is
disabled, the file opens without issue. The user experiencing the problem can
re-enable sharing and fix use the file temporarily, but the file will crash
again at a later date.

It is being opened in both excel 2003 and 2007 versions.

The shared workbook feature of Excel is very flaky at best, if you do a search
on this feature in this newsgroup, you will see quite some posts on the subject.
Loss of data, corruption of the file, wrong data saved, edits lost to mention
just a few problems.

If you are using a mixture of Office 2003 and 2007 then sharing workbook is
even more troublesome, or even impossible.

You seriously need to look for a different solution to the problem for which
you are now using a shared workbook.

If multiple users really need to make changes to data, use a database
application.

If not, then set the workbook's property to "read-only recommended", so that
each user gets to choose whether or not to open the file read-only. If a user
really needs to make changes, he/she can open the file in read/write mode ON
PURPOSE and make the changes needed.

Avoid sharing workbooks!!!

Regards,

Jan Karel Pieterse
Excel MVP
http://www.jkp-ads.com
Member of:
Professional Office Developer Association
www.proofficedev.com