Word 2007: Can't Edit Already-Open Document

[Todd Walton]

I have one person open a Word 2007 document as read-only.

Another person then tries to open this document, but they are not
allowed to edit the document. They get a message saying the file is
in use, and they're options are to:

1) Open the document as read-only.
2) Save a local copy and re-merge later.
3) Be notified when the document is available for editing.

Why can't the second person open the document and edit it?

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Todd,

What steps did you use to set the document to read only? (i.e. Windows permission settings or file properties, or Word's
Review=>Protect document settings, etc?

Generally, once a document copy is open Windows doesn't really tell Word what it's being used for, only that it's in use, by setting
a lock file.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/211632
Option #2 on the list would be the closest it comes to allowing editing while in use.

==================
I have one person open a Word 2007 document as read-only.

Another person then tries to open this document, but they are not
allowed to edit the document. They get a message saying the file is
in use, and they're options are to:

1) Open the document as read-only.
2) Save a local copy and re-merge later.
3) Be notified when the document is available for editing.

Why can't the second person open the document and edit it?

--
Todd Walton>>
--

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

 

[Todd Walton]

Hi Todd,

What steps did you use to set the document to read only? (i.e. Windows permission settings or file properties, or Word's
Review=>Protect document settings, etc?

Good question. When I save the document, in the Save As... dialog
box, I click on Tools on the lower left hand corner. I choose General
Options and then check "Read-only recommended". So when people open
it they get the box offering to open it read-only. Is there a better
way?

 

[Nate]

I and others have asked this EXACT question on more then a couple occasions
and never gotten a good response.

We do exactly what you do, Read Only recommended.

My issue is, it works correctly, as we expect and you desire, when opened
with Word 2003. The file is not shown as a READ+WRITE lock on the server and
another user can go in under edit mode and change/save the doc.

With Word 2007 the file is locked READ+WRITE even when the user selects READ
ONLY and another user is not allowed to edit.

So, something changed and I am still attempting to get the correct person on
the phone that can explain what/why/what to do.

To recreate, save a file with Read Only recommended and a password to edit.
Share it and then access it through the share. Then, use Word 2003 to open
the doc in Read Only and then Word 2007 to open with password and edit. It
will work.

Close the files.

Then, open the file with 2007 in READ ONLY mode and then open the file again
and try to go into edit mode, it will not let you.

It should work a it previously did, if someone is in read only mode somone
else should be able to edit the file as the read only user can make no
changes that will be lost.

 

[Nate]

To see my original post and replies from the other posters that I referenced
search for this title.

Read Only isn't really Read Only on the Server

 

[Nate]

I already further described the issue and how to reproduce but as a followup
to your post.

Windows SHOULD and USED TO in 2003 tell Word that the doc is open in Read
Only mode as that was what was selected by the user and therefore since the
file is not locked for editing a lock file should not be created and a second
user should be able to lock the file.

 

[Nate]

With some help we found a hotfix that doesn't look like it addresses the
issue from the description, but it does fix it. You may have to do the
online request or call for the hotfix file.

When applied to a client device and Read Only is selected the server shows
only READ and another user is allowed into edit mode.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/956795