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# XL: Protected File Opens Without Prompt for Password

Article ID: 121214

Article Last Modified on 8/15/2005

APPLIES TO

- Microsoft Excel 95 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Excel 5.0c

This article was previously published under Q121214

## SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to open a shared password-protected file, and you receive the following alert message
File Reservation
<filename> is being modified by
<username>
Open as Read-Only, or choose Notify to be alerted
when it is available.
A workbook that normally requires a password may not prompt you for a password.

## CAUSE

When you choose Cancel in the error message dialog box, the alert box is dismissed; however, if you open a file immediately after receiving the above error message, you will not receive a prompt for a password if the passwords for the two files are the same.

## WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do either of the following:

- Save each document with a different password. -or-
- Choose the Read-Only button instead of the Cancel button:
  1. Open the first document as Read-Only instead of choosing the Cancel button
  2. Close the first document, and then open the second document.

Additional query words: network server share

Keywords: KB121214