Co-Authoring Excel merging problems

Question

Hello,

I am a project manager. I have created an co-authoring excel workbook shared with 3 people on my onedrive account. This workbook is extremely important to follow the activities.

Configuration : Microsoft office 365 ProPlus. Version 1708 (build 8431.2094 Office "Démarrer en un clic"). Monthly Canal.

But, we have a big merging problem. We must update a database in one worksheet. There are now 300 lines and it is mandatory to use filters.

The situation : I am filtering, and someone comes and uses another filter. I want to save and this error happens :

"upload failed your file wasn't uploaded because your changes can't be merged with changes  made by someone else"

"Your file wasn't saved because we couldn't merge your changes with changes from ...."

Please, Is there a solution to not have this problem ? Co-authoring is finally totally useless without being able to use filters.

Thanks a lot for your Help,

Vincent

Answer 1

Hi Tim,

I test the different cases. See below : 

Do you have the same results as me ?

When you say, “also can see the change makes by User B. “ Do you mean I don’t see my filter anymore but user B filter ? Is it normal for you  ?

Yes, I have opened the two accounts with OneDrive sync clients.

Yes my colleague also opens the worksheet with desktop excel with the same versions as me.

For my tests, I use a new computer with windows 10 for the second user. I am on windows 7. I was incapable of repeating the merging problem and I don’t know why. I still have problems because I see user B filters or I have to save again but it’s works. Do you know if the OS (windows 7 or windows 10) have an impact for co-authoring ?

Thanks you for your help,

Best regards,

Vincent

Answer 2

Hi Vincent,

Based on my test, I can get similar result as you.

Case 1: User A, B both enable AutoSave.

In this case, as A, B both enable AutoSave, so changes will be auto saved to each other side when they filter some columns. It means filter operation will influence each other.

Case 3-1, 3-2: One user enable AutoSave, the other disable it.

In this case, user who disable AutoSave won't be influenced by the other user. When he save the change, the other user who doesn't disable AutoSave will be influenced. Changes will appear on that user's side.

Case 4: Two users disable AutoSave.

Both of them won't be influenced by each others change.

However, Case 3-1, 3-2 and 4 is not the best practice for Excel real-time coauthoring. It may cause some unexpected issues. For example, cannot merge changes, one user needs to sync again.

So, for this thread, my understanding is that the co-authoring doesn't work very properly when there are some filter operations. It will influence another user who is editing at the same time. But disable AutoSave may cause some unexpected errors. In this situation, I suggest you submit a feedback via Excel Uservoice. This is the best way to let the related team hear your voice.

Meanwhile, there is no article mentions that Windows 7 doesn't support Excel co-authoring based on my search. To learn more about Excel real time co-authoring, see Collaborate on Excel workbooks at the same time with co-authoring.

Thanks for your understanding.

Tim

Answer 3

Hi Tim,

Unfortunately, there is still no good solution.

I check Excel user voice website. There are 2 topics for this feature :

1 for Excel online : Co-authoring with personnal filters on excel online

There are 628 votes !

1 for Excel desktop : Co-authoring with personnal filters on excel desktop

There are 46 votes !

So today (28^th^March, 2018), we are 674 project managers who need this feature for their teams.

Microsoft, please implement this!

Many Thanks,

Vincent

Answer 4

Today May 03, still no update...

Most recent response from MSFT is 

Hello Everyone. We agree with you! The experience you’ve captured here is at the top of our list to address with a future coauthoring feature. I can’t share a timeline for when this will be delivered but wanted to let you know that we do recognize the impact not having this ability has on your coauthoring experience. Stay tuned for more. 

Scott (Microsoft Excel PM)