Excel file is locked for editing by another user

You are trying to open an Excel file and you get a message about the file being locked. Sometimes the file is locked by another user, and other times the "another user" is actually you. If you have locked the file yourself, it might be because the file is open on a different device, or the previous instance of the file didn't close properly.

Tip: Sometimes a file may get locked if everyone editing isn't using a version that supports co-authoring. To co-author together, make sure everyone is using the Microsoft 365 subscription version of Excel or Excel for the web.

Step 1: Try this first, if the file is locked by you

Make sure the file is closed on all your devices. If the error still occurs, wait a few minutes for the server to release the lock on the file. (Sometimes the server thinks you have the file open, and just needs to catch up with what's really going on.)

Step 2: Talk to the other user

If the other user is not you, you can wait until the other person is done and has closed the file. You can also choose to view it as read-only. Or, you can ask the person to close the file, check it in, or give you edit permissions.

Step 3: Make sure everyone uses a version that supports co-authoring

If you want to work on the file at the same time as other people, then make sure everyone uses a version of Excel that supports co-authoring. When you co-author, more than one person can open the file, and you can see each other's changes quickly — in a matter of seconds.

Note: * Co-authoring in Excel for Microsoft 365 and Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac requires you to be signed in with your Microsoft 365 subscription. If you have a work or school account, you might be able to co-author if your administrator hasn't provided the latest version to install. 

Versions of Excel that support co-authoring:

• Excel for Microsoft 365*

• Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac*

• Excel for the web

• Excel for Android

• Excel for iOS

• Excel Mobile

Note: Excel 2019 does not support co-authoring.

If just one person uses a version of Excel that doesn't support co-authoring, then everyone else will get the "locked" error — even if everyone else is using a version of Excel that does support co-authoring.

If people aren't sure which version of the app they have, then encourage everyone to use Excel Online to co-author in a web browser.

Step 4: Put the file in OneDrive or SharePoint in Microsoft 365

If you want to avoid the error by co-authoring with others, put the file on OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint in Microsoft 365. If the file is saved to another location that doesn't support co-authoring, people will get the "locked" error.

The following locations do not support co-authoring:

• Server paths like \\server\folder and smb://server/folder

• Cloud locations like DropBox, Box, and Google Drive

• Local folders on your Windows or Mac computer

• Libraries on SharePoint On-Premises sites. If you have an on-premises site and Excel for Microsoft 365, try using Excel Online to co-author instead.

Step 5: Make sure to use one of these file formats

For Windows: If you are trying to co-author, check the file name of the file and make sure it is in either .xlsx, .xlsm, or .xlsb format. If the file is in another format, go to File > Save As > Browse > Save as type and choose the .xlsx, .xlsm, or .xlsb format.

For Mac: If you are trying to co-author, check the file name of the file and make sure it is in either .xlsx, .xlsm, or .xlsb format. If the file is in another format, go to File > Save As... and choose the .xlsx, .xlsm, or .xlsb format.

Note: Co-authoring does not support the Strict Open XML Spreadsheet format.

Step 6: Check your OneDrive sync app

If you are using the OneDrive sync app for Windows, make sure you are using the latest version. Also, make sure the sync app is not paused.

Step 7: Remove unsupported features from the file

If you are trying to co-author, the "locked" error can occur if the file uses a feature that is not supported by co-authoring. Ask the person who has the file open to do one or more of the following. The first thing to try is to turn off the Shared Workbook feature. Also, if you are opening a snapshot from SharePoint, open the workbook itself instead. If those two solutions don't work, try one or more of the following.

Windows:

• If possible, remove password encryption or restricted access from the file. Go to File > Info > Protect Workbook and remove any passwords or restricted access settings.

• Turn off the Refresh data when opening file setting on all tables and PivotTables in the file. Select the table or PivotTable, then go to Table Tools Design > Refresh > Connection Properties. Then uncheck Refresh data when opening file.

• Inactivate an add-in that's causing the lock. Select File > Options > Add-Ins > Excel Add-ins > Go and then clear the check box for the add-in.

Mac:

• If possible, remove password encryption from the file. To do that, go to the Review tab. If Protect Workbook is highlighted, click it to turn off protection. Enter the password if prompted.

• If possible, remove restricted access. Go to File > Restrict Permissions > No Restrictions.

• Turn off the Refresh data when opening file setting on all tables and PivotTables in the file. Select the table or PivotTable, then go to the Table tab > Refresh > Connection Properties. Then uncheck Refresh data when opening file.

• Inactivate an add-in that's causing the lock. Select Tools > Excel Add-ins and then clear the check box for the add-in.