W
w1ngman
I've recently created a few Word templates saved to a network server for my
team's use. None of the .dot files are set as Read-Only as my team is
instructed to use Word's File > New > Document (from Template on shared
drive)...so they never manually open/edit the actual .dot files. All team
members use Office 2003.
When occasion demands, I make changes to these Word .dot files based on team
feedback. When such edits arise, I sometimes discover the .dot in question
opens as 'Read-Only' [indicating the actual .dot is currently being used by
another user]. During such instances, I've asked team members if they are
presently using the particular template and/or creating a .doc from it. Each
time, their response has been, nope.
Best I can surmise: when a co-worker creates a new .doc from the .dot in
question, perhaps Word generates a 'handshake' binding the .dot to the new
..doc. And that 'handshake' does not release until that newly created .doc is
saved and closed by the team member (i.e. team member starts a .doc from a
..dot but does not finish their project, leaves PC up overnight with Word .doc
open...and as long as this scenario remains, the .dot can only be accessed as
Read-Only). Only upon that team member saving/closing their recently created
..doc, will the .dot revert from Read-Only, allowing me to perform edits to it.
Should this experience be considered 'typical' of sharing templates across a
network? My supervisor is getting a bit exasperated with my inquiring among
team members as to who's currently utilizing xyz template, etc. Any comments
& suggestions would be appreciated!
- Dave
team's use. None of the .dot files are set as Read-Only as my team is
instructed to use Word's File > New > Document (from Template on shared
drive)...so they never manually open/edit the actual .dot files. All team
members use Office 2003.
When occasion demands, I make changes to these Word .dot files based on team
feedback. When such edits arise, I sometimes discover the .dot in question
opens as 'Read-Only' [indicating the actual .dot is currently being used by
another user]. During such instances, I've asked team members if they are
presently using the particular template and/or creating a .doc from it. Each
time, their response has been, nope.
Best I can surmise: when a co-worker creates a new .doc from the .dot in
question, perhaps Word generates a 'handshake' binding the .dot to the new
..doc. And that 'handshake' does not release until that newly created .doc is
saved and closed by the team member (i.e. team member starts a .doc from a
..dot but does not finish their project, leaves PC up overnight with Word .doc
open...and as long as this scenario remains, the .dot can only be accessed as
Read-Only). Only upon that team member saving/closing their recently created
..doc, will the .dot revert from Read-Only, allowing me to perform edits to it.
Should this experience be considered 'typical' of sharing templates across a
network? My supervisor is getting a bit exasperated with my inquiring among
team members as to who's currently utilizing xyz template, etc. Any comments
& suggestions would be appreciated!
- Dave