Problem Viewing Survey

Question

Another survey issue that I've come across unfortunately.

Scenario: One of our users has created a Survey that they are using as a quick way to collect data from a team of people throughout the day. This means the same people will be completing the survey several times a day.

Sporadically they are getting and issue where the user opens the link and gets the error:

"Problem Viewing Survey. We're sorry, We can't open the Survey. Please contact the person who sent you this Survey".

At the time, if someone tries to open the excel file itself they get the error:

Someone else has this workbook locked.

"Unfortunately the workbook needs to closed or checked in before you can edit it...."

They have checked and they are not editing the file at the time, so are not sure what is causing this?

Answer 1

Hi AdamBSC,

Could you share some updates with us?

Thanks,

Ran

Answer 2

Hi AdamBSC,

I understand that the shared survey link can only be opened in browser. I just want to confirm whether you have shared the Excel survey file or the OneDrive for Business library with others and whether someone opened the Excel file in Excel client. Also, you can view the survey results in Excel Online. It should not cause the issue.

In addition, could you share the survey link with us to see if we can repro the issue? To protect your privacy, I have sent you a private message. Please access it via the link below:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/privatemessages/list

Thanks,

Ran

Answer 3

The people using the survey can only access it through the link, which always opens in the browser.

They have encountered the error sporadically, we have purposefully stayed out of the survey results as a test to see if it was that that was causing the errors, however they would need to be able to go into the survey results during the day to abstract the information.

To answer the questions specifically:

1. Is the survey file checked out by someone? - No
2. Where is the survey file stored? The OneDrive for Business library? – Survey file is stored in Office 365 Business      OneDrive account

3.Do all users encounter the same issue? – Yes sporadically, some users will be fine and others, using the same link,      wont.

Answer 4

Hi AdamBSC,

Excel survey only works when all users open it in browser. If someone opens the survey file in Excel client, others who open the shared link will receive the first error and they will receive the second when trying to open the file directly. So, please make sure the survey file is not opened in Excel client.

If it is not the case, I’d like to confirm the following information for further troubleshooting.

1. Is the survey file checked out by someone?
2. Where is the survey file stored? The OneDrive for Business library?
3. Do all users encounter the same issue?

Thanks,

Ran