MXL: "File Being Modified" Error Opening Read-Only File

ID: Q128190

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you open a file that is located on a Novell server, you may receive the following error message even if the file is not open in another instance of Microsoft Excel or on another computer 

   <File> is being modified by <username>

   Open as Read-Only, or choose Notify to be alerted when it is available
where <File> is the name of the file that you are opening, and <username> is the name of the last user who opened the file as read/write.

CAUSE

When you open a file on a Novell server that has Macintosh services, if the file is marked Read-Only, you receive the error message even if the file is not open in another instance of Microsoft Excel. This behavior also occurs when you open a file located on a Novell network server if the file is locked at the Finder level, or if you don't have Write privileges to the network share.

Under these conditions, you should receive a message indicating that the file is locked or that it must be opened as read-only instead of a message indicating that it is being modified.

WORKAROUNDS

To open a file located on a Novell network server under these conditions, select the Read Only check box in the Open dialog box when you open the file.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Novell networks are manufactured by Novell, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

REFERENCES

For more information about new features for reviewing and sharing workbooks, choose the Search button in Help and type: 

   sharing workbooks, new features
Additional query words: 5.00 read-write 
Keywords          : kbnetwork xlmac kbfaq
Version           : MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a,98
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: September 4, 1998