Forum Discussion
Excel keeps randomly opening read only copies of files I have currently open
Whenever I open an excel file there seems to be a random point in which a read only copy of the same file is opened, I was under the impression that opening two excel files with the same name was impossible, so I'm not sure why this is happening or how can I fix it, but it's becoming an inconvenience to see this windows and having to close them/check which one is the read only copy.
Any way I could fix this? The files are direcly on my computer not in a sharepoint.
1 Reply
The behavior you are experiencing, with Excel opening read-only copies of files that are already open, can be related to various factors. Here are some potential reasons and solutions:
- File Locking: One common reason is that Excel might think the file is already in use or locked by another process. This can happen even if the file is not open in another Excel instance. It could be due to a temporary file or a hidden lock.
Solution: Try saving and closing the file, then check the folder for any temporary or hidden files (e.g., files starting with "~$"). Delete any of these files related to your workbook. Also, check if the file isn't being accessed by another program or user on your computer.
- File Corruption: If the file was previously saved when Excel or the computer crashed, it might have become corrupted. This can sometimes lead to Excel opening a read-only version to protect the original.
Solution: Try opening a different, working copy of the file, if available. If not, you might need to restore from a previous version if you have backups in place.
- Protected View: Excel has a feature called "Protected View" that opens files from the internet or other potentially unsafe locations in read-only mode.
Solution: Check if the file is being downloaded from the internet or an untrusted location. You can try unblocking it by right-clicking on the file and selecting "Properties," then clicking the "Unblock" button.
- File Name Conflict: If you have multiple files with the same name but in different folders, Excel might open a read-only copy to prevent accidental changes to the wrong file.
Solution: Make sure you are opening the file from the correct folder. If there are multiple files with the same name, Excel can get confused.
- Add-Ins and Macros: Sometimes, Excel add-ins or macros can cause unexpected behavior.
Solution: Disable add-ins and macros one by one to see if any of them are causing the issue.
- Excel Cache: There might be an issue with the Excel cache.
Solution: You can try clearing the Excel cache. You can do this from the Excel options. Go to File > Options > Advanced > General, and click "Clear" under the "Excel Options."
If none of these solutions resolve the issue, it might be a specific problem with your Excel installation or configuration. In that case, you could consider repairing or reinstalling Microsoft Office or contacting Microsoft support for further assistance. The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.
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