Microsoft KB Archive/128190

= "File Being Modified" Error Opening Read-Only File =

Article ID: 128190

Article Last Modified on 8/19/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 98 for Macintosh

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This article was previously published under Q128190



SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel, when you open a file that is located on a Novell server, you may receive the following error message even if the file is not open in another instance of Microsoft Excel or on another computer

 is being modified by

Open as Read-Only, or choose Notify to be alerted when it is available

where  is the name of the file that you are opening, and is the name of the last user who opened the file as read/write.



CAUSE
When you open a file on a Novell server that has Macintosh services, if the file is marked Read-Only, you receive the error message even if the file is not open in another instance of Microsoft Excel. This behavior also occurs when you open a file located on a Novell network server if the file is locked at the Finder level, or if you don't have Write privileges to the network share.

Under these conditions, you should receive a message indicating that the file is locked or that it must be opened as read-only instead of a message indicating that it is being modified.



WORKAROUND
To open a file located on a Novell network server under these conditions, select the Read Only check box in the Open dialog box when you open the file.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.



MORE INFORMATION
Novell networks are manufactured by Novell, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

