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Unable to share macro-enabled workbook with multiple users

Anonymous
2018-04-04T12:25:23+00:00

Over the course of the last few weeks i have been working on creating a simple yet useful list of customers and contact info for my company. I have written some VBA code and i have about 8-9 macros in the workbook. The purpose of the document is to function as a temporary CRM system, providing a broad overview of our client base. 

However, on launch day i was having problems getting the autosave function to work (the little toggle switch in the upper left corner) and sharing the document with my coworkers. I saved the file on the company's Onedrive server, but the autosave function never showed up. I tried to share the document with my coworkers by inviting them both in the excel-desktop application and giving them access in Onedrive Office365 online. When i tried to open the document on mine and their computer, i got an error message saying the document is open somewhere else. I even went to 

Review >Share Workbook (Legacy)>"Allow changes by more than one user at the same time" and checked the box.

I noticed it said "FYI: Workbooks containing tables can't be shared." This can't be right? 

And why does it open as read-only when you open it from the web/server?

I can't seem to find a discussion explicitly saying that macro-workbooks can't be shared so i still have some hope. I have spent a lot of time working on this and my team was very excited to start using this document.

How can my team still use this document to edit our customer base? 

Thanks,

  • Martin
Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-04-10T10:10:07+00:00

    Hi Martin,

    Thanks for your updates.

    As the macro doesn’t work in Excel Online now, co-authoring in Excel Online may not work fine.

    For your reference:Work with macros in Excel Online

    Given the situation, you may work the file with macros in Excel 2016.

    Thanks for your understanding.

    Cliff

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-04-04T14:22:46+00:00

    Hi Cliff,

    I'm just about to leave work, but i'll throw in a quick comment before i return to the computer at home.

    1. I tried sharing a new blank document, but no the sharing did NOT work at all. nothing....
    2. Tried several different files. both .xlsm and standard file format
    3. i'll upload some photos tomorrow (i'm the only one left in the office)

    4. 

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-04-04T14:16:43+00:00

    Hi Martin,

    To clarify the issue in your environment, I’d like you to confirm and provide the following.

    1. If you share an Excel file without macro codes, what’s the result?
    2. Check if the issue only happens in the specific file.
    3. When the shared users opened the workbook, what error messages pop up? Could you upload some related screenshots?
    4. Upload a full screenshot of the page showing the version information of the Excel 2016 application you are using. You can access the page via File>Account.

    Thanks,

    Cliff

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-04-05T08:58:43+00:00
    1. I used the in-app sharing method and an email was sent to my coworkers. when they clicked the link they were redirected to OneDrive/SharePoint. When they clicked the document they were taken to the online view and even with "edit in browser" no other people were visible in editing the document. 

    I was able to to turn on sharing under Review>Share Workbook (Legacy)>"Allow changes by more than one user at the same time" even though this error message popped up:

    When workbook sharing was turned on, i was not able to open the document in the browser view, and was prompted to open it directly in excel instead. Sorry it's in Norwegian, but it says: 

    We're sorry. We cannot open the workbook in your web browser,

    because it utilizes these functions which are not supported:

    • Workbook sharing

    Do you want to open the file in Excel instead?

    Learn more

                                                   | Open in Excel |     | Cancel |

    I proceeded to go back in Excel desktop and turn off the sharing (Review>Share Workbook (Legacy)>"Allow changes by more than one user at the same time") and when i tried to open it again from SharePoint, i was able to view and edit in browser.

    Regarding the original error message you requested from point 3. here it is:

    PS: i also have added a link to the folder and document in my windows file explorer pane (left) for easy access. But i doubt this has something to do with the sharing issue.

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-04-05T08:50:03+00:00

    Hi Martin,

    Thanks for your updates.

    The AutoSave and Co-authoring features will not be available in the Semi-annual Channel of the Excel 2016 application. I suggest you first change to the Monthly Channel and then update your Excel 2016 application’s version to the latest version to see and let us know the result.

    For your reference: Collaborate on Excel workbooks at the same time with co-authoring

    Thanks,

    Cliff

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