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    To resolve the "file in use" error in Excel, ensure the file is closed on all devices, check for background processes, and consider using read-only mode if necessary.

    Steps to Fix the Error

    1. Close the File on All Devices:
    1. Check Background Processes:
    1. Delete Semaphore Files:
    1. Open as Read-Only:
    1. Check Permissions:
    1. Use Co-Authoring Features:
    Read more
    Microsoft
    https://support.microsoft.com › en-us › office
    Excel file is locked for editing - Microsoft Support
    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 hav…
    Automate Excel
    https://www.automateexcel.com › how-to › file-locked-for-editing
    How to Unlock an Excel File That Is Locked for Editing by Me
    This tutorial demonstrates how to unlock an Excel file that is locked for editing, when the name of the person locking the file is your own. Say you are Fred Smith and you get the …
    tips.net
    https://excelribbon.tips.net
    Incorrect In-Use Message (Microsoft Excel)
    There are a couple of things that may be causing the issue. The first thing to check is to get out of Excel and see if there is a "semaphore file" for the workbook. When you first …
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    Microsoft
    Excel file is locked for editing - Microsoft Support
    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 hav…
    https://support.microsoft.com › en-us › office
    Automate Excel
    How to Unlock an Excel File That Is Locked for Editing by Me
    This tutorial demonstrates how to unlock an Excel file that is locked for editing, when the name of the person locking the file is your own. Say you are Fred Smith and you get the …
    https://www.automateexcel.com › how-to › file-locked-for-editing
    tips.net
    Incorrect In-Use Message (Microsoft Excel)
    There are a couple of things that may be causing the issue. The first thing to check is to get out of Excel and see if there is a "semaphore file" for the workbook. When you first …
    https://excelribbon.tips.net
    UMA Technology
    Excel: Fix “File is locked for editing/in use” Errors
    However, one common issue that users face is the "File is locked for editing" or "File in use" error message. This can be frustrating, particularly when you need immediate access t…
    https://umatechnology.org › excel-fix-file-is-locked-for-editing-in-use-errors
  2. Microsoft Support
    https://support.microsoft.com › en-us › office

    Excel file is locked for editing - Microsoft Support

    Find out how you can unlock an Excel spreadsheet when you are locked out of an Excel file by yourself or by another user.
    Overview

    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 op…

    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 qui…

  3. Technipages
    https://www.technipages.com › excel-fix-file-is-locked-for-e…

    Excel: Fix “File is locked for editing/in use” Errors

    Feb 27, 2023 · The message that appears will say “ File in Use – {filename] is locked for editing by {username}. Open ‘Read-Only” or click “Notify to receive notification …

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  4. MiniTool
    https://www.minitool.com › data-recovery

    Success Ways to Remove the “File In Use” Error on Windows

      1. Remove the Problematic Application from Your PC. Some users reflect that the third-party …
      2. Close All Running Applications. Usually, the issue occurs because the target file or folder is open by …
      3. Delete the File or Folder in Safe Mode. Start your computer into Safe Mode. Find the target file or …
      4. Use Command Prompt. If you want to delete a file but you can’t do it due to File In Use error, you …
      5. Modify the File Extension of the Problematic File. Some users just remove the File In Use error by …
      See full list on minitool.com
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  6. Automate Excel
    https://www.automateexcel.com › how-to › file-locked-for-e…

    How to Unlock an Excel File That Is Locked for Editing …

    Sep 10, 2023 · Say you are Fred Smith and you get the File in Use error pictured above. If this happens, chances are that the file is open already on your machine but is hidden in the background. To fix this issue, you need to close the file in the …

  7. Layer
    https://golayer.io › blog › excel › excel-locked-for-editing-b…

    “Excel File Locked for Editing by Me” Error & Solutions

    In this post, you’ll first understand the different reasons why Excel is prompting this error message. You’ll then learn different methods on how to unlock an Excel file locked for editing by another user or yourself. Why Is “Excel File Locked for …

  8. Techbout
    https://www.techbout.com

    Fix: Excel File Locked For Editing By Another User

    If you are unable to open or edit an Excel file due to “File is locked for editing by another user” error, you can find below the steps to fix this well-known issue in Microsoft Excel.

  9. MrExcel
    https://www.mrexcel.com › board › threads

    Now I am getting a "File in Use" error - MrExcel

    Jul 23, 2011 · Connections to your server or Sharepoint make it hard for Excel to remove the temporary file that get's created when you open a file. The file name has "~$" added to the front.

  10. thebricks.com
    https://www.thebricks.com › resources › guide-how-to-unlo…

    How to Unlock an Excel File Locked for Editing by …

    Feb 12, 2025 · Nothing stops a productive workday faster than seeing the "File in Use" pop-up in Excel. You're ready to dive into your data, only to be told the file is locked for editing by 'another user'—who might even be yourself from an earlier …

  11. Microsoft Learn
    https://learn.microsoft.com › en-us › answers › questions › file-in...

    File in use Error- Excel is locked for editing which is opened by me

    Jul 1, 2021 · Please open Excel, click File> Options> Save, under Cache Settings, tick the option “Delete files from the Office Document Cache when they are closed” and click Delete cached files. After that, …

  12. Support Your Tech
    https://www.supportyourtech.com › excel › how-to-repair-excel-a-step-by...

    How to Repair Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Common Issues

    Jun 27, 2024 · Let’s walk through the process step-by-step to repair your Excel files. This will help you address common issues like corrupted files, application crashes, or formula errors.