Shared Excel File between Mac and PC Compatibility Problems

Question

Hello,

Here is the scenario. I have Excel 2011 for Mac. My boss uses Excel for PC. He has a shared excel file on his pc that I need to access. There are no limited permissions on his end. When I go to that file, I am able to open it. My mac is saying I can't save over the file because of a lock on the file. However, when I do Get Info on that file, no locks are shown and the locked check box is unchecked. I tried to do the same for the folder it is in. Nothing says locked. The file name has no forward slashes or anything, its Reis Order Log 2012.xlsx. I went to File>Properties in Excel and the Read-Only box is unchecked as well.

Any information or advice would be much appreciated. 

Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, even if the operating system allows multiple access, Excel does not. If anyone on the network has the file open you will get read-only access. However, if you mark the file as shared, Tools menu-share Workbook, then excel will allow multiple users to access the file simultaneously. However, you must be sure you have read/write access to the folder containing the file.

Answer 2

Make sure the name of the file, and worksheets in the workbook, and the names of any folders in the file's path do not contain any special characters.

Answer 3

Yes, he has marked the file as shared within Excel. He has also said that the folder containing the file allows read/write access. Is there anything else that could be contributing to this? Is it a matter of PC and Mac having different access restrictions or anything?

Answer 4

His computer is in a workgroup with other PCs. It's set up as a home network. He has a shared folder where this shared excel file is located. PC's can access it and make changes to it at any time and it will update. However, when I try to make additions with my Mac, I am unable to. When I open the file it is labeled as read only and won't allow me to change that option unless I save it under a new name. I do this and save it to my desktop. The read only disappears. However, once I make additions to the file and attempt to save it in the shared folder on my boss's PC, it says the file is locked in the finder window. It instructs me to go to the file in finder and uncheck the locked option. I do this, but the locked option isn't even checked in the first place. My boss has made sure that all of the permissions on his end allow me to access the file and make changes, even if others have it open. He has Windows 7, btw.

Answer 5

What do you mean "save over"? Do you open the file, make changes and then save it? Where is the file? On your hard drive, a server? Have you checked permissions on the server? Does he have the file open also?