Footer changes not saving

[JennL2513]

Hello,

I am editing an Excel file that was created by someone else. I am trying to change the text in the footer, but after I click save and reopen the file, the changes have not been saved after all. It reverts back to the original text.  In the screenshot shown below, I am trying to change the T02_04 to T02_05.

However, I cannot figure out why my change is not saving. It lets me change the number, I save, then close the file. When I reopen it, it has reverted back to 04.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[#2]

@JennL2513 

It sounds like there may be a few reasons why your changes to the footer are not saving. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Check for Protected Workbook: Make sure that the workbook is not protected. If the workbook is protected, you may not be able to save changes to the footer. To check, go to the "Review" tab on the Excel ribbon and see if the "Protect Workbook" option is enabled. If it is, you'll need to unprotect the workbook before making changes to the footer.
2. Permissions Issue: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to edit the workbook and save changes. If the workbook is stored in a shared location or on a network drive, check with the owner or administrator to verify your permissions.
3. Template or Macro: If the workbook is based on a template or contains macros, there may be code or settings preventing changes to the footer from being saved. Check if the workbook is using a template by going to the "File" tab, selecting "Info," and looking under "Related Dates." Additionally, review any macros or VBA code that may be affecting the footer.
4. Corrupted Workbook: It's possible that the workbook file itself is corrupted, preventing changes from being saved. Try saving the workbook under a different name or in a different location to see if the issue persists. You can also try opening the workbook in a different version of Excel or using Excel Online to see if the problem occurs there as well.
5. Temporary File Location: When saving changes, Excel creates a temporary file before replacing the original file. If there is an issue with the temporary file location or permissions, changes may not be saved properly. Check your system's temporary file settings and ensure that Excel has permission to write to the temporary file location.
6. Repair Office Installation: If none of the above solutions work, you may need to repair your Office installation. Go to "Control Panel" > "Programs" > "Programs and Features," select Microsoft Office, and choose "Repair." Follow the prompts to repair the installation.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue preventing changes to the footer from being saved in your Excel workbook. The text was created with the help of AI.

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

Hope this will help you.

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[#3]

@NikolinoDE 

Hello, thank you for the tips!

However, the issue is still persisting. I have gone through and can confirm I have the correct permissions (I even added myself as an author to the file), it is not protected and there aren’t issues with the temporary file location.

It is interesting that changes made to other parts of the spreadsheet will save; it is just the footer giving me problems. I have tried saving to other file locations and the issue is not resolving.

Regarding the possibility of the file being based on a template or contains macros, I don’t believe it is. I checked under the Related Dates section you mentioned and don’t see anything suggesting otherwise. When I view the Developer tab, I see the following, which looks like macros isn’t being used?

The Excel file is shared- I'm not sure what implications that could have, but it's my first time seeing [Shared] after the file name.

[#4 · Accepted solution]

@JennL2513 

If the issue persists despite checking permissions, protection, temporary file location, and other troubleshooting steps, there are a few more possibilities to consider:

1. Shared Workbook Restrictions: Excel's "Shared Workbook" feature allows multiple users to edit a workbook simultaneously, but it also imposes restrictions on certain features, including headers and footers. When a workbook is shared, Excel restricts the ability to make changes to headers and footers. If the workbook is indeed shared, you may encounter limitations in editing the footer. To check if the workbook is shared, go to the "Review" tab, and see if the "Share Workbook" option is enabled. If it is, try unsharing the workbook and then attempt to edit the footer again.
2. File Corruption: Despite being a less common cause, file corruption can still affect specific features within a workbook, such as the footer. You can try opening the workbook in Excel's Safe Mode, which disables add-ins and other customizations, to see if the problem persists. To open Excel in Safe Mode, hold down the Ctrl key while opening Excel, or you can open it from the command line with the excel /safe command.
3. Hidden or Locked Footer Layers: It's possible that there are hidden or locked layers in the footer section that are preventing your changes from being saved. Try selecting the footer area, right-clicking, and checking for options related to locking or hiding layers. Ensure that no layers are locked or hidden that could be interfering with your edits.
4. File Format Compatibility: Sometimes, saving in a different file format can resolve unexpected issues. Try saving the workbook in a different Excel file format (e.g., .xls instead of .xlsx) and see if the problem persists.
5. External Factors: If the workbook is located on a network drive or external storage, there may be external factors affecting its behavior. Network issues, storage limitations, or other environmental factors could contribute to the problem. Try opening the workbook on a different computer or network to see if the issue persists.

Hope this will help you.

[#5]

Thanks very much for your help! The Shared Workbook Restrictions issue seemed to be the cause. I was Googling issues related to this and found this, which solved the problem:

1. Navigate to the “Review” tab, “Changes” group, and click “Share Workbook”.
Go to the “Advanced” tab. In the “Conflicting changes between users” section, , select The changes being saved win, and click “OK”.