Microsoft Knowledge Base

Excel Err Msg: "Cannot Access Document" when Saving File
Last reviewed: September 23, 1997
Article ID: Q101701
2.X 3.00 4.00 | 2.20 3.00 | 2.X 3.00 4.00 
WINDOWS       | OS/2     | MACINTOSH
kberrmsg

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a
  • Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.2, 3.0
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 2.2, 3.0 ,4.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you attempt to save a worksheet that was opened from a network drive, you may receive the following error message: 

   Cannot Access Document
This message may appear when you are working in a document and someone else attempts to open the same document from a different workstation.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because, although workstation B has the "This file is read only" message displayed, workstation A attempts to write to this file. This attempt fails because B has the file locked. Workstation A then releases all rights to the file.

When this occurs, the read/write privileges are set to workstation B, even though the file was first opened from workstation A.

WORKAROUND

To prevent this problem, the person trying to open the file on the second workstation must choose OK or Cancel when prompted by the Open As Read Only? dialog box. Do not choose HELP.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Example of Behavior

Suppose a Microsoft Excel file, SERVER.XLS, is located on a network server. When you open SERVER.XLS from workstation A and then open the same file from a different workstation, workstation B, workstation B receives the "Open as Read Only?" message.

If you attempt to save SERVER.XLS on workstation A while the other workstation has the message displayed, you will receive the error message, "Cannot Access Document."

KBCategory: kberrmsg
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 4.00 4.00a
Keywords : kberrmsg
Version : 2.X 3.00 4.00 | 2.20 3.00 | 2.X
Platform : MACINTOSH OS/2 WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: September 23, 1997
©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal Notices.