Microsoft One Note (Sharing Xcel document that opens as read only)

Question

Hello,

One Note Version 16001.11929.20170.0

Microsoft Office 365 Pro Plus

I've created a new note and shared the link with a co worker.  They can open the note and edit words, add pictures and pretty much everything else.  When I add an Xcel sheet (by dragging the file from my desktop into the open note section ) the Xcel file shows op on the my coworkers synced computer but they can only open a read only version of the file.  I would like both computers to have access and be able to edit the file simultaneously.  Is this possible? Ive seen previous posts and followed the instructions to make sure my file is not restricted.  

Thank You,

Jameson

Answer 1

Hi Jameson,

I'm testing on this problem now and I will reply you once I can get some results.

Best Regards,

Hugo

Answer 2

I don't want to edit it in the browser.  In the first computer i can edit the excel file directly from one note.  When i share the note, the servings computer pens the link in a browser, i want the second computer to be able to work with the file directly in one note and have the changes update automatically like with the first computer

Answer 3

Hi Jameson,

From the error message (There are some features in your workbook that we can't show in the browser), I would like to suggest you refer to this article: Differences between using a workbook in the browser and in Excel, you may find the workbook include some features not supported for editing in Excel for the web.

Besides, if you create a new Excel worksheet, insert it to the notebook page, will this issue persist after you shared the link?

Best Regards,

Hugo

Answer 4

Ive checked the read only restrictions in the steps you provided and everything looks good.  

I created a new notebook and added my existing Excel file to my notebook

I opened the share tab, added the recipient and Changed the link options 

I opened the email and clicked on the excel link and this is displayed 

I clicked on edit in browser and this is displayed 

[PII is masked by Hugo Liang MSFT Support]

Answer 5

Hi Jameson,

I've tested on my side, unfortunately I cannot encounter the same issue as you.

Per your description, you have seen previous posts and followed the instructions to make sure your file is not restricted. 

Could you tell me which posts you've seen? Is it this article: Excel files opening in read only mode from OneNote 2016?

If not, I would like to suggest you check if the Excel file has been set as Read-only permission first.

The step is: Right-click on the inserted Excel file on your computer -> Properties -> General -> behind Attributes, check if it is set to Read-only -> Security -> check if your user profile has the Full control permission.

*Knowing that this post is cope issue which happens in OneNote 2016, but the method also applies to OneNote for Windows 10.

Besides, I would like to share my test steps as below:

1. Log in Work account and create a new notebook in OneNote for Windows 10.
2. Drag a new Excel file to the notebook page and select the Upload to OneDrive and insert link option.
3. Click Share in the upper right of the OneNote screen.
4. In Link settings panel, select People in Contoso with the link and Apply, then input another Work account and Send.
5. On another computer, open portal.office.com login another Work account and open Outlook, open the sharing link of the shared notebook. Click the Excel file link on the notebook page, it opens automatically and I can edit on the worksheet.
6. On my computer, open the Excel file link on the notebook page, I can see the changes made by another account on the worksheet.

If you have tried the suggestion above but the issue persists, could you tell me more information about this issue?

1. Which posts you've seen and followed to make sure your file is not restricted?
2. Whether your inserted Excel file has been set Read-only permission?
3. Will issue persists if you insert the Excel file to notebook page (Insert as attachment) and share to the co-worker?
4. Does the issue happen to all inserted excel workbooks (even a new created one) or only a specific one?
5. Does there are any differences between my test steps and yours that you thought may cause this issue? If you are not clear you can tell me your specific test steps.

Best Regards,

Hugo