Excel won't open an OpenOffice file of mine because it's "locked for editing by another user"

Question

Excel won't open an OpenOffice file of mine because it's "locked for editing by another user". (1) Opening a read-only file isn't sufficient for me at this time, and (2) clicking on "Notify" isn't apparently help me open it now.

If anyone can make a suggestion on opening my OpenOffice file in Microsoft Word 2010, it would be deeply appreciated.

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Answer 1

If you're encountering the error "locked for editing by another user" when trying to open an OpenOffice file in Microsoft Word, it typically means that the file is currently being accessed by another application or user. Here are a few suggestions to resolve this issue:

1. Check if the File is Open Elsewhere: Ensure that the file is not open in OpenOffice or any other application. If it is, close it and try opening it again in Word.
2. Make a Copy of the File: If the file is locked and you cannot access it, try making a copy of the file. Right-click on the file in File Explorer and select "Copy," then paste it in a different location. Try opening the copied file in Word.
3. Use a Different Format: If possible, save the OpenOffice file in a different format (like .doc or .docx) using OpenOffice, and then try opening it in Word.
4. Check for Temporary Files: Sometimes, temporary files can cause issues. Look for any temporary files that may have been created by OpenOffice when the file was last opened. These files usually have a tilde (~) at the beginning of their name. Deleting these may help.
5. Restart Your Computer: If the file appears to be locked but you are sure it is not open anywhere, a simple restart of your computer may resolve the issue.

If none of these solutions work, you may need to contact support for further assistance.

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References:

• Mail merge error when a data source is accessed by multiple users in Word

Answer 2

Hello,

In File Explorer, right-click the icon for the document and click Properties. In the Properties window, click Unblock (if that option is available) and then click Apply. Try opening the document again. If it still fails to open, the document may be damaged. You could of course try OpenOffice and see if you can open the file. Openoffice is free for download.

Hope this helps,

JC

Answer 3

AI said to restart the computer after trying its first suggestions. I restarted the the computer, and was able to open the file with OpenOffice.

<<In File Explorer, right-click the icon for the document and click Properties. In the Properties window, click Unblock (if that option is available) and then click Apply. Try opening the document again. If it still fails to open, the document may be damaged. You could of course try OpenOffice and see if you can open the file. OpenOffice is free for download.

Hope this helps.>>

I am going to print your suggestion and save it – in case the situation arise in the future. Thank you!