Excel File Locked

[robot]

Hello,

When I open a certain Excel file, I receive a message to the effect that

'The file <filename> is locked because it is being edited by <myname>. Press
Read Only or Notify.'

Now the file, which I created and use myself, has never been shared, and
every time I encounter this situation, I must use the 'Save As' command to
save any changes to the file.

How do I unlock the file? Suggestions are most welcome!

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
try clearing the TEMP directory, reboot your computer and try again

 

[robot]

Hi Frank,

Thank you for your reply. I heed your advice and try deleting temp files in
my TEMP dir, and found that a file, namely ~dfd0a9.tmp, was created when I
rename (no need to open!) my Excel file, and can't be deleted without a
reboot. There must be something wrong with my system. :-(

More suggestions are most welcome.

 

[Gord Dibben]

robot

Excel stores in Windows\Temp(win98) folder a copy(s) of any file that is open.

Sometimes this *.tmp file is not deleted from the Temp folder when you close
out Excel(maybe a crash of Excel?) or the file, so Excel thinks it is still
open and locked for editing.

You can try a re-boot and see if that clears it up. If not, after a re-boot,
clear out your Windows\Temp folder.

If using WinXP your Temp folder would be under user.......

Documents and Settings\User\Local Settings\Temp

If on a network, re-booting the server may be the only solution.

Gord Dibben Excel MVP