Share excel spread sheet

Question

unable to share excel spread sheet says can not do at this time

Answer 1

Hi, @David Wolons

Excel normally needs the workbook to be saved to OneDrive before you can share it directly from the app. The message can also appear if there is a temporary OneDrive or account issue.

To help narrow down the issue:

1. Is the spreadsheet currently saved in OneDrive, or only on your computer?
2. What is the exact message you see after clicking "Share"?

Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Thanks!

Answer 2

Here's how I share Excel spreadsheets, and many other files. First, I upload them to my OneDrive. Then, once the file is in my OneDrive, I send my correspondant a sharing link. This always works for me, although it sometimes helps if your correspondent has a Microsoft account.

Answer 3

Try this checklist in order:

1. Put the workbook in OneDrive.
   • In Excel, select Share.
   • If prompted, upload the file to OneDrive first.
   • Co-authoring and sharing workbooks works when the file is stored in OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint in Microsoft 365.
   • If the file is on a local folder, network path, or another cloud service, sharing can fail or the file can be locked.
2. Check the file format.
   • For co-authoring, the workbook should be .xlsx, .xlsm, or .xlsb.
   • If it is another format, go to File > Save As and save it as one of those formats.
   • Strict Open XML Spreadsheet format is not supported for co-authoring.
3. Share it again.
   • In Excel for the web: File > Share > Share with People.
   • Enter the person’s name, group, or email.
   • Choose Can view for read-only, or leave editing allowed if collaboration is needed.
   • Select Share.
4. If the workbook is an old shared workbook, turn that off.
   • If Excel shows messages about many users or opens read-only, the workbook may be using the legacy Shared Workbook feature.
   • In Excel, go to the Review tab, and in the Protect group select Unshare Workbook.
   • Then use modern sharing and co-authoring instead.
5. If the file says it is locked for editing, confirm the sync app is current.
   • Make sure the OneDrive sync app is up to date and not paused.
6. If sharing shows a server error, check folder size.
   • In SharePoint or OneDrive, a folder and its subfolders can have a sharing limit of 50,000 items.
   • If needed, move some files out of the folder or share the individual file instead.

If the goal is only to let others view the workbook without changing it, share it as read-only by choosing Can view.

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• Share a workbook in Excel for the web
• Excel file is locked for editing
• Excel file is locked for editing
• Co-author a workbook
• "The workbook is currently open by 256 users" error when opening an Excel workbook from SharePoint or OneDrive
• "Unable to reach the server" error when sharing files or folders in SharePoint or OneDrive