Excel spreadsheets transferred from a Windows PC open in read-only mode
I understand this issue arose over the past 2-3 years, but I haven't seen any solution.
A workbook created on a Windows PC using Office 365 - transferred to Mac (Yosemite installed) - opens in read-only mode in Office 365 for Mac.
The workbook doesn't have a "/" in its name. I made sure there is read/write access for the file and also the folder. It contains macros, some of which work, others will have to be redone.
After saving it with a different name, I may work as usual with it like updating, saving and closing it.
After reopening it, it's again in read-only mode.
After all this time there must be a solution for the problem.
A workbook created on a Windows PC using Office 365 - transferred to Mac (Yosemite installed) - opens in read-only mode in Office 365 for Mac.
The workbook doesn't have a "/" in its name. I made sure there is read/write access for the file and also the folder. It contains macros, some of which work, others will have to be redone.
After saving it with a different name, I may work as usual with it like updating, saving and closing it.
After reopening it, it's again in read-only mode.
After all this time there must be a solution for the problem.
John
Were they transferred on a DVD which makes files read only or on a USB key that does the same thing?
ASKER
transferred on a removable hard drive, USB connected. It seems to be only macro based files .xlm, some .xlsx but not necessarily all. Especially large workbooks.
Make sure hard drive has "Everyone" permissions on both systems and try transferring again. No issue for me on huge files on removable hard drives for Windows only.
ASKER
The other part of the problem is that once saved under a different name from the read only state, they still open read only.
ASKER
You have hit the nail on the head, i think. the hard drive is read only and i can't seem to change it to read/write. That said, the issue of saving the spreadsheet to the Mac hard drive then still reopening in read only mode doesn't seem to be solved by this.
If the contents can be recovered, then you might consider formatting the drive NTFS on the Windows machine (unless there is a better MAC format).
What about copying all the sheets to a new workbook?
ASKER
John, the portable drive is NTFS, I have just changed the permissions on the Windows PC but when reconnecting to the Mac it shows read only and macro based workbooks still open read only, .xlsx workbooks are opening read/write. It appears that there is an inconsistency between the different release levels of Excel (13 on the PC, 11 on the Mac) maybe that is the problem.
Martin, I will give your suggestion a try but it's not a good look for Microsoft and Apple is it.
Thank you both for your thoughts, I am still leaning towards your suggestion John. if only the drive would show read/write. However, these are teething troubles, right?
Martin, I will give your suggestion a try but it's not a good look for Microsoft and Apple is it.
Thank you both for your thoughts, I am still leaning towards your suggestion John. if only the drive would show read/write. However, these are teething troubles, right?
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ASKER
Thanks for your help
@ASPF - You are very welcome and I was happy to help.
Another possible solution is to install NTFS for Mac® 12 from Paragon Software:
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac/
which will allow the Mac to read, write and modify files on the NTFS drive without reformatting it. This may clear up the permissions problems that are making the files read only. (I don't currently have the software installed on this computer, so I cannot test it for certain.)
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac/
which will allow the Mac to read, write and modify files on the NTFS drive without reformatting it. This may clear up the permissions problems that are making the files read only. (I don't currently have the software installed on this computer, so I cannot test it for certain.)