Excel Err Msg: "Cannot Access File" with Shared Files

 Last reviewed: September 12, 1996
Article ID: Q97044
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 4.0 and 4.0a

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel version 4.0 for Windows, when you attempt to open a shared document, if another user is using Microsoft Excel (or if another copy of the program is open) and this second open copy of the document is locked by the Open As Read-Only dialog box, you may receive the following error message 

   Cannot access <filename>
where <filename> is the name of the file that you want to open.

CAUSE

When you open a file in Microsoft Excel in read-only mode, that file is locked for as long as the Open As Read-Only dialog box is open. When you open the same file in Microsoft Excel on another workstation or in a second instance of Microsoft Excel, you are not able to access the file.

WORKAROUND

You can open the file as soon as the Open File As Read-Only dialog box is closed in the first instance of Microsoft Excel.

Note that this behavior does not occur in Microsoft Excel version 5.0.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel User's Guide 1," version 4.0, pages 55-66

KBCategory: kberrmsg
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 4.00 4.00a Access Read Only



THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: September 12, 1996
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.