Excel File Locking Issues on Mac Server

Question

We never had the problem before but starting in 2018, closing an excel file that is resides on our server remains locked. When we try to reopen it it says: 

This file is locked for editing.

Locked by: another user

Filename: XXX

You can open the file as read-only.

This file is not opened anywhere else. Anyone how tries to open it gets the same message including the person who last closed the file. 

Our file share system uses SMB protocal. 

Again we have had no problems doing this in the past and we have even used the Shared worksheet feature where multiple people could access the file at the same time. This stopped working around the same time so we stopped using that feature. 

In order to recover, we must unmount the file shares and remount them. 

Opening the file in read only will sometimes offer us the opportunity to change from read only with this message...

The file /Volumes/General/FG Schedule Folder/Focus Group Schedule 2018.xlsx is available. Do you want to edit it now?

If you say Yes, you will get in to a loop.. and see this message

This file is locked for editing.

Locked by: another user

Filename: XXX

You can open the file as read-only.

We are using a downloaded version of office 365, not the cloud based version. There are all up to date. We update all the time. 

When we attempt to unmount a file share with no files open the system will tell us that we can't unmount because Excel is using the file share even though there are no Excel files open.  

Therein lies the problem. Excel is not releasing the file and closing it properly over the network.

We anxiously await a fix. 

FYI the Mac Server is running OSX 10.12.6 and Server Ver. 5.3.1

Answer 1

Hi ScottAdleman,

Please follow the steps below to see if it helps:

1. Search for a file which will be in the same folder as your document and will have a name the same as your file but with ~$ at the start: CMD + F
2. Select them and move to trash. Make sure that all the users in your organization delete the ~$ files and open the file to see if you can edit it.
3. The ~$ files are supposed to be deleted when Excel and/or the file is closed.

If Excel quits abnormally, the file may be left in place causing the lock for editing.

This problem often occurs when you shut down your Mac directly before you close Excel or the file.

So make sure to close all applications before you shut down.

In addition, here are the common troubleshooting steps for your reference: Excel file is locked for editing by another user.

If the suggestions above don’t work for you, to better understand your situation, please help confirm the information below:

1. Does this issue happen with all files or a specific file on your Server?
2. For the “never had the problem before but starting in 2018”, what changes do you make before 2018?
3. Capture a screenshot of Office name and version to share with us according to this article: What version of Office am I using?

Best Regards,

Gloria

Answer 2

Hi ScottAdleman,

Does the issue persist?

Please let us know if you need further help.

Best Regards,

Gloria

Answer 3

Sorry I dd look at your suggestions sooner. 

I have seen the files that start with ~ as locking mechanism. 

Even when these files are deleted by the software or manually the problem persists. 

We are using the latest version of the MAC OS 10.13.6, AND the latest version of MS Excel 16. 7 (180909) and Word.

We use the SMB file share protocal.

None of the excel files are using the security lock feature, nor do we use apples Filevault.

It has nothing to do with startup or shut down. It happens in any folder on a share that two more more users use to share the same excel file. These files are commonly manipulated by one person and the reviewed by another. Who ever opened it results in a locked file. the solution requires that we unmount the file share and remount it to regain access for a different user.

Sometime the very user who used it last can't get back in. 

 I took a screen shot for the version but I am not sure how to attach it to this message.

The solutions document does not seem to have a solution to our issue. We don't use special permission and we don't use pivot tables. We have waited to see if things resolve but we can wait overnight with not change. We are unwilling to move to a cloud solutions for our internal documents.

Answer 4

Hi Scott,

Thanks for your reply.

According to my researching, the issue may be related with file has ~$ before the file name.

First please follow the steps below to show hidden files (~$ file): defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Then please locate the locked file and delete the file which has the same file name as the locked file but has ~$ before the file name.

Best Regards,

Gloria