Excel save file as shared

Sharing in Microsoft Excel enables several users to work with one file. Ten to twenty people on different computers simultaneously enter some kind of data in one document.

Particular formulas work in those places where certain information is located.

The “main user” can track workgroup activities, add / remove members, and edit contradictory changes. How to set up collaboration in Excel?



Features of working with shared file

Not all tasks can be performed in an Excel workbook with shared access.

The following actions are prohibited:

  1. Creating Excel spreadsheets.
  2. Creating, changing, and viewing scenarios.
  3. Deleting worksheets.
  4. Combining or splitting cells.
  5. Working with XML data (importing, adding, updating, deleting, etc.)

The way out is to: disable shared access – to perform the prohibited function – to enable shared access again.

Sharing data restricts a number of tasks for users:

It’s impossible to: It’s possible to:
Insert or delete a group of cells Add a row or a column
Add or change conditional formats Work with existing formats
Enable or modify the «Data Validation» tool Work with existing verification settings
Create or edit charts, summary reports Work with existing charts and pivot tables
Insert or edit drawings and graphics View existing drawings and graphics
Insert or change hyperlinks Click through existing hyperlinks
Assign, edit or delete passwords Use existing passwords
Put or remove the protection of worksheets and workbooks Use existing protection
Group, structure data; insert sublevels Work with existing groups, structures and sublevels
Record, modify, or view macros Run existing macros that are not associated with unavailable tasks
Change or delete array formulas Use existing formulas
Add new information to the form Search for information in the data form



How to share an Excel file?

First, determine which workbook you will “open” for editing by several members at the same time. Create a new file and fill it with information. Alternatively, open the existing one.

  1. Go to «REVIEW» tab, then to «Share Workbook» dialog box.
  2. Share Workbook.

  3. In window «Share Workbook». Select check box «Allow changes by more than one user at the same time».
  4. Allow changes.

  5. Go to «Advanced» tool to configure the settings for multi-user editing.
  6. Advanced.

  7. Click OK. If you share a new workbook, you should choose the title for it. If sharing is implies using an existing file — click OK.
  8. Open the Microsoft Office menu. Choose «Save as» command. Choose the save file format that will be suitable for all users ‘computers.
  9. Choose a network resource / network folder as a storage location that will be opened by the prospective participants. Click «Save».

It’s important! You cannot use a web server to save a file.

Now check and update the links:

  1. «DATA» tab, «Connections».
  2. Connections.

  3. «Manage Sets». If there is no such button, there are no linked files in the worksheet.
  4. The OK button indicates the operability of the links.

Opening a shared book

  1. «FILE» Click on «Open» (CTRL+O).
  2. Choose a shared workbook.
  3. When the book is open, click on the Microsoft Office button. Go to «Options» tab (at the bottom of the menu).
  4. «General» — «Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office» — «User name:». Enter the identification information (name, nickname).

Options.

That’s all. You can edit this information, enter new one, as well as save it afterwards.

Occasionally, when you open a shared Excel workbook, «File is locked» notification appears, making saving impossible. When you later open it, it turns out that sharing is disabled. Possible causes of the problem:

  1. Several users edit the same part of the document. For example, they enter different data in one cell. As a result, blocking occurs.
  2. When a shared file is used, a change log is kept (who entered, when, what he did). As the book size increases, bugs appear.
  3. A user has been removed from shared access, but he/she don’t know about this. Then the blocking will be observed only on his/her computer.
  4. Overloading of the network resource.

If sharing is blocked, you can do the following:

  1. Clean or delete the change log.
  2. Clean the file content.
  3. Disable, and then re-enable shared access.
  4. Open the xls book in OpenOffice and save it in xls again.

It has been noticed that the notification «File is locked» appears less frequently in the latest versions of Excel.

How to delete a user

  1. Open «Share Workbook» menu in «REVIEW» tab.
  2. Share Workbook.

  3. You can see a list of users in «Edit» section.
  4. list of users.

  5. Select the name — click «Remove User».

Before deleting, check whether users have finished working with the file.

How to disable shared access in Excel

All users need to save the information and close the shared file. If you need to save the log, follow the instructions:

  1. «REVIEW» tab — «Track Changes» — «Highlight Changes».
  2. Highlight Changes.

  3. Set the parameters of «Changes». When – «All». Clear checkboxes opposite «Who» and «Where». «List changes on a new sheet» check box should be selected. Click OK.
  4. List changes on a new sheet.

  5. The change log will open. It can be saved or printed.

Allow changes.

To disable Excel file sharing, click «Share Workbook» and uncheck «Allow changes by more than one user at the same time» in «REVIEW» tab.

The single user should remain in the list. It is you.

Содержание

  1. Share your Excel workbook with others
  2. Need more help?
  3. About the shared workbook feature
  4. Enabling the Shared Workbook feature
  5. Additional information
  6. Enabling the Shared Workbook feature
  7. Additional information
  8. Share an Excel file workbook
  9. Features of working with shared file
  10. How to share an Excel file?
  11. Opening a shared book
  12. How to delete a user
  13. How to disable shared access in Excel

Share a workbook with others, right within Excel. You can let them edit the workbook or just view it.

Select permissions and then Apply.

Type a message if you like.

It takes just three steps to share a workbook.

Using a web browser, upload or create a new workbook on OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or a SharePoint Online library.

If you uploaded the file, click the filename to open it. The workbook will open in a new tab in your web browser.

Click the Edit in Excel button. If you don’t have this button, click Edit in Browser, and then click Edit in Excel after the page reloads.

Click Open Microsoft Excel.

When the file opens in the Excel program, you may see a yellow bar which says the file is in Protected View. Click the Enable Editing button if that’s the case.

Click Share in the upper-right.

Click Invite People. Then type email addresses, and separate each with a semicolon. Make sure to also select Can Edit. When you’re done, click the Share button.

Tip: If you want to send the link yourself, click Share in the upper-right, and then click Copy Link > View and Edit.

If you clicked the Share button in the previous step, email messages will be sent to each person. The message will come from your email address. You will also receive a copy of the message, just so you know what it looks like.

If you clicked the Share button, people will receive an email message inviting them to open the file. They can click the link to open the workbook. A web browser will open, and the workbook will open in Excel for the web. If they want to edit in the browser, they can click Edit Workbook > Edit in Browser. If they want to open it in the Excel app, they can click Edit Workbook > Edit in Excel.

Tip: If they’re using the latest version of Excel 2016 for Microsoft 365 subscribers, they can open the file directly in the Excel app. They can click File > Open. > Shared, and then select a file that has been shared by another person.

More than one person can edit a workbook at the same time. This is called co-authoring. However, everyone will need a version of the Excel app that supports co-authoring. At this time, Excel for Android, Excel for iOS, Excel Mobile, and Excel 2016 for Microsoft 365 subscribers are the versions that currently support co-authoring. If they don’t have a supported version, they can click Edit Workbook > Edit in Browser to edit the file in Excel for the web.

Need more help?

You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in the Answers community.

Источник

Important: «Shared Workbooks» is an older feature that allows you to collaborate on a workbook with multiple people. This feature has many limitations, and has been replaced by co-authoring. Excel co-authoring is available in Microsoft 365 Apps Excel desktop client and Excel for the Web for Microsoft 365 subscribers.

Enabling the Shared Workbook feature

Be certain that you want to use this method before continuing. Shared Workbooks have limitations, and one in particular is the inability to edit using Excel for the web. Therefore we highly recommend co-authoring, which is the replacement for Shared Workbooks.

Create a new workbook or open an existing workbook. Then place it on a network location. For example, put it on a location like \server_namefolder_name. Don’t put the file on OneDrive or SharePoint. If you prefer those locations for the file, co-author the workbook instead.

Click Review > Share Workbook.

Note that in newer versions of Excel, the Share Workbook button has been hidden. Here’s how to unhide it.

On the Editing tab, select the Allow changes by more than one user . check box.

On the Advanced tab, select the options that you want to use for tracking and updating changes, and then click OK.

If this is a new workbook, type a name in the File name box. Or, if this is an existing workbook, click OK to save the workbook.

If the workbook contains links to other workbooks or documents, verify the links and update any links that are broken.

Click File > Save.

When you’re done, — Shared will appear at the top of the Excel window, next to the filename.

Additional information

Please be aware that Shared Workbooks is an older method of sharing. Therefore, many items and actions are not supported when this method is used. The table below is only a partial list of features not supported.

Creating or inserting tables

Inserting or deleting blocks of cells

Adding or changing conditional formats

Adding or changing data validation

Merging cells or splitting merged cells

Creating or changing charts or PivotChart reports

Sorting or filtering by format

Inserting or changing pictures or other objects

Using drawing tools

Inserting or changing hyperlinks

Assigning, changing, or removing passwords

Creating, changing, or viewing scenarios

Protecting or unprotecting worksheets or the workbook

Inserting automatic subtotals

Grouping or outlining data

Creating data tables

Writing, recording, changing, viewing, or assigning macros

Creating or changing PivotTable reports

Changing or deleting array formulas

Creating or applying slicers

Adding, renaming, or deleting XML maps

Creating or modifying sparklines

Mapping cells to XML elements

Adding or changing Microsoft Excel 4 dialog sheets

Using the XML Source task pane, XML toolbar, or XML commands on the Data menu

Using a data form to add new data

Adding threaded comments

Editing, or deleting threaded comments

Before you disconnect users, make sure that they have completed their work on the workbook. If you remove active users, any unsaved work of theirs will be lost.

Click Review > Share Workbook.

Note that in newer versions of Excel, the Share Workbook button has been hidden. Here’s how to unhide it.

On the Editing tab, in the Who has this workbook open now list, review the names of users.

Select the name of the user who you want to disconnect, and then click Remove User. Please note that although this action disconnects the user from the workbook, it does not prevent that user from editing the workbook again.

To delete any personal view settings of the removed user, click View > Custom Views and delete any other user views.

Before you turn off this feature, you might want to make a copy of the change history. First make sure that all other users have completed their work.

Click Review > Track Changes > Highlight Changes.

Note that in newer versions of Excel, the Track Changes button has been hidden. Here’s how to unhide it.

In the When list, select All.

Clear the Who and Where check boxes.

Select the List changes on a new sheet check box, and then click OK.

Now you can either print the History worksheet, or you can copy the history and paste it into another workbook.

Click Review > Share Workbook.

Note that in newer versions of Excel, the Share Workbook button has been hidden. Here’s how to unhide it.

On the Editing tab, make sure that you are the only person listed in the Who has this workbook open now list.

Clear the Allow changes by more than one user . check box. If this check box is not available, you must first unprotect the workbook. Do the following:

Click OK to close the Share Workbook dialog box.

On the Review tab, in the Changes group, click Unprotect Shared Workbook.

If you are prompted, enter the password, and then click OK.

On the Review tab, in the Changes group, click Share Workbook.

On the Editing tab, clear the Allow changes by more than one user . check box.

When you are prompted about the effects on other users, click Yes.

Enabling the Shared Workbook feature

Be certain that you want to use this method before continuing. Shared Workbooks have limitations, and therefore we highly recommend co-authoring, which is the replacement for Shared Workbooks.

Create a new workbook or open an existing workbook. Then place it on a network location. Don’t put the file on OneDrive or SharePoint. If you prefer those locations for the file, co-author the workbook instead.

Click Review > Share Workbook.

On the Editing tab, select the Allow changes by more than one user . check box.

On the Advanced tab, select the options that you want to use for tracking and updating changes, and then click OK.

If this is a new workbook, type a name in the Save As box. Or, if this is an existing workbook, click OK to save the workbook.

If the workbook contains links to other workbooks or documents, verify the links and update any links that are broken.

Click File > Save.

When you’re done, — Shared will appear at the top of the Excel window, next to the filename.

Additional information

Please be aware that Shared Workbooks is an older method of sharing. Therefore, many items and actions are not supported when this method is used. The table below is only a partial list of features not supported.

Creating or inserting tables

Inserting or deleting blocks of cells

Adding or changing conditional formats

Adding or changing data validation

Merging cells or splitting merged cells

Creating or changing charts or PivotChart reports

Sorting or filtering by format

Inserting or changing pictures or other objects

Using drawing tools

Inserting or changing hyperlinks

Assigning, changing, or removing passwords

Creating, changing, or viewing scenarios

Protecting or unprotecting worksheets or the workbook

Inserting automatic subtotals

Grouping or outlining data

Creating data tables

Writing, recording, changing, viewing, or assigning macros

Creating or changing PivotTable reports

Changing or deleting array formulas

Creating or applying slicers

Adding, renaming, or deleting XML maps

Creating or modifying sparklines

Mapping cells to XML elements

Adding or changing Microsoft Excel 4 dialog sheets

Using the XML Source task pane, XML toolbar, or XML commands on the Data menu

Importing, refreshing, and exporting XML data

Using a data form to add new data

Before you disconnect users, make sure that they have completed their work on the workbook. If you remove active users, any unsaved work of theirs will be lost.

Click Review > Share Workbook.

On the Editing tab, in the Who has this workbook open now list, review the names of users.

Select the name of the user who you want to disconnect, and then click Remove User. Please note that although this action disconnects the user from the workbook, it does not prevent that user from editing the workbook again.

To delete any personal view settings of the removed user, click View > Custom Views and delete any other user views.

Before you turn off this feature, you might want to make a copy of the change history. First make sure that all other users have completed their work.

Click Review > Track Changes > Highlight Changes.

In the When list, select All.

Clear the Who and Where check boxes.

Select the List changes on a new sheet check box, and then click OK.

Now you can either print the History worksheet, or you can copy the history and paste it into another workbook.

Click Review > Share Workbook.

On the Editing tab, make sure that you are the only person listed in the Who has this workbook open now list.

Clear the Allow changes by more than one user . check box. If this check box is not available, you must first unprotect the workbook. Do the following:

Click OK to close the Share Workbook dialog box.

On the Review tab, click Protect Workbook.

If you are prompted, enter the password, and then click OK.

On the Review tab, Share Workbook.

On the Editing tab, clear the Allow changes by more than one user . check box.

Before you turn off this feature, you might want to make a copy of the change history. First make sure that all other users have completed their work.

Click Review > Track Changes > Highlight Changes.

In the When list, select All.

Clear the Who and Where check boxes.

Select the List changes on a new sheet check box, and then click OK.

Now you can either print the History worksheet, or you can copy the history and paste it into another workbook.

Click Review > Share Workbook.

On the Editing tab, make sure that you are the only person listed in the Who has this workbook open now list.

Clear the Allow changes by more than one user . check box. If this check box is not available, you must first unprotect the workbook. Do the following:

Click OK to close the Share Workbook dialog box.

On the Review tab, click Protect Workbook.

If you are prompted, enter the password, and then click OK.

On the Review tab, Share Workbook.

On the Editing tab, clear the Allow changes by more than one user . check box.

Источник

Sharing in Microsoft Excel enables several users to work with one file. Ten to twenty people on different computers simultaneously enter some kind of data in one document.

Particular formulas work in those places where certain information is located.

The “main user” can track workgroup activities, add / remove members, and edit contradictory changes. How to set up collaboration in Excel?

Not all tasks can be performed in an Excel workbook with shared access.

The following actions are prohibited:

  1. Creating Excel spreadsheets.
  2. Creating, changing, and viewing scenarios.
  3. Deleting worksheets.
  4. Combining or splitting cells.
  5. Working with XML data (importing, adding, updating, deleting, etc.)

The way out is to: disable shared access – to perform the prohibited function – to enable shared access again.

Sharing data restricts a number of tasks for users:

It’s impossible to: It’s possible to:
Insert or delete a group of cells Add a row or a column
Add or change conditional formats Work with existing formats
Enable or modify the «Data Validation» tool Work with existing verification settings
Create or edit charts, summary reports Work with existing charts and pivot tables
Insert or edit drawings and graphics View existing drawings and graphics
Insert or change hyperlinks Click through existing hyperlinks
Assign, edit or delete passwords Use existing passwords
Put or remove the protection of worksheets and workbooks Use existing protection
Group, structure data; insert sublevels Work with existing groups, structures and sublevels
Record, modify, or view macros Run existing macros that are not associated with unavailable tasks
Change or delete array formulas Use existing formulas
Add new information to the form Search for information in the data form

First, determine which workbook you will “open” for editing by several members at the same time. Create a new file and fill it with information. Alternatively, open the existing one.

  1. Go to «REVIEW» tab, then to «Share Workbook» dialog box.
  2. In window «Share Workbook». Select check box «Allow changes by more than one user at the same time».
  3. Go to «Advanced» tool to configure the settings for multi-user editing.
  4. Click OK. If you share a new workbook, you should choose the title for it. If sharing is implies using an existing file — click OK.
  5. Open the Microsoft Office menu. Choose «Save as» command. Choose the save file format that will be suitable for all users ‘computers.
  6. Choose a network resource / network folder as a storage location that will be opened by the prospective participants. Click «Save».

It’s important! You cannot use a web server to save a file.

Now check and update the links:

  1. «DATA» tab, «Connections».
  2. «Manage Sets». If there is no such button, there are no linked files in the worksheet.
  3. The OK button indicates the operability of the links.

Opening a shared book

  1. «FILE» Click on «Open» (CTRL+O).
  2. Choose a shared workbook.
  3. When the book is open, click on the Microsoft Office button. Go to «Options» tab (at the bottom of the menu).
  4. «General» — «Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office» — «User name:». Enter the identification information (name, nickname).

That’s all. You can edit this information, enter new one, as well as save it afterwards.

Occasionally, when you open a shared Excel workbook, «File is locked» notification appears, making saving impossible. When you later open it, it turns out that sharing is disabled. Possible causes of the problem:

  1. Several users edit the same part of the document. For example, they enter different data in one cell. As a result, blocking occurs.
  2. When a shared file is used, a change log is kept (who entered, when, what he did). As the book size increases, bugs appear.
  3. A user has been removed from shared access, but he/she don’t know about this. Then the blocking will be observed only on his/her computer.
  4. Overloading of the network resource.

If sharing is blocked, you can do the following:

  1. Clean or delete the change log.
  2. Clean the file content.
  3. Disable, and then re-enable shared access.
  4. Open the xls book in OpenOffice and save it in xls again.

It has been noticed that the notification «File is locked» appears less frequently in the latest versions of Excel.

How to delete a user

  1. Open «Share Workbook» menu in «REVIEW» tab.
  2. You can see a list of users in «Edit» section.
  3. Select the name — click «Remove User».

Before deleting, check whether users have finished working with the file.

All users need to save the information and close the shared file. If you need to save the log, follow the instructions:

  1. «REVIEW» tab — «Track Changes» — «Highlight Changes».
  2. Set the parameters of «Changes». When – «All». Clear checkboxes opposite «Who» and «Where». «List changes on a new sheet» check box should be selected. Click OK.
  3. The change log will open. It can be saved or printed.

To disable Excel file sharing, click «Share Workbook» and uncheck «Allow changes by more than one user at the same time» in «REVIEW» tab.

The single user should remain in the list. It is you.

Источник

For sharing an Excel workbook with other users, we need to save it to a local network location where others can access it and make changes. We also can keep track of those changes and can accept or reject those changes as per the requirement.

Let’s take the below example to understand how to share an excel sheet.

You can download this Share Excel Workbook Template here – Share Excel Workbook Template

We have given the below customer details in a workbook saved with “Customer Data.”

Excel Share File Example 1

Below are the steps of sharing an excel workbook in excel –

  1. First, go to the REVIEW tab.
  2. Click on the “Share Workbook” option under “Changes.” You may refer to the below screenshot.

    Excel Share File Example 1-1

  3. Then, an Excel “Share Workbook” File dialog box will appear. See the below screenshot.

    Excel Share File Example 1-2

  4. Under the Editing tab, tick the checkbox and click on, OK.

    Excel Share File Example 1-3

  5. By clicking on this checkbox, we are giving access to other users for editing.
  6. The screen above shows you who has the workbook open.
  7. After clicking on “OK,” one dialog box will appear with a message. For example, refer to the below screenshot

    Excel Share File Example 1-4

  8. Click on, OK.
  9. Save this workbook.
Table of contents
  • How to Share an Excel Workbook? (Step by Step)
    • Highlight the Changes Done on Excel By Other Users
    • How to Accept/Reject the Changes Done by Other Users
    • Important Points to Remember
    • Recommended Articles

Highlight the Changes Done on Excel By Other Users

We can also highlight the changes which other users have made.

Follow the below steps:

  • Step 1: Go to the REVIEW tab.
  • Step 2: Click on the Track Changes option in ExcelTracking changes in Excel is a technique of highlighting changes made in a shared worksheet by any user. It highlights the cell that has been modified. This option is present in the «changes» section of the review tab and can be enabled when we share a workbook.read more under the Changes section. You may refer to the below screenshot.

Highlight the Changes step 1

  • Step 3: This will show you two options, per the screenshot below.

Highlight the Changes step 1-1

  • Step 4: Click on Highlight changes.
  • Step 5: This will open a dialog box here. See the below screenshot.

Highlight the Changes step 1-2

  • Step 6: Click on, OK.
  • Step 7: Now, click on the “Protect Shared Workbook” option under the “Changes” section, as shown in the below screenshot.

Highlight the Changes step 1-3

  • Step 8: It will open a dialog box. Tick on the checkbox, as shown in the below screenshot.

Highlight the Changes step 1-4

  • Step 9: Click on, OK.
  • Step 10: Now, Excel will show the changes done by the users.
  • Step 11: How does it look after changes? For your reference, we will make changes to the file and save those changes.
  • Step 12: The sheet automatically highlights the changes wherever we do, as shown in the screenshot below.

Highlight the Changes step 1-5

How to Accept/Reject the Changes Done by Other Users

We can accept or reject the changes done by other users if those changes are not according to us. For this, follow the below steps:

  • Step 1: Go to the REVIEW tab.
  • Step 2: Click on the Track Changes in excel”Toread more under the Changes section.
  • Step 3: Choose the Accept/Reject Changes option from the list, as shown in the below screenshot.

Accept-Reject the Changes step 1

  • Step 4: A dialog box will appear, as shown in the below screenshot.

Accept-Reject the Changes step 1-1

  • Step 5: Click on, OK.
  • Step 6: Then, a dialog box will appear. It will show you all the changes one by one, as shown in the below screenshot. It will also highlight the cell in the spreadsheet where the changes are made.

Accept-Reject the Changes step 1-2

  • Step 7: Click on the Accept button to accept the changes or the Reject button to reject the changes.

Important Points to Remember

Excel shared workbook file feature has some limitations. The reason is that not all features are fully supported in excel shared workbooksTo share the workbook, open the desired workbook>click on review tab>choose share workbook option>a dialogue box with «editing» and «advanced» tab will open>mark the required checkbox, save changes> upload the file to network location>send the link to the concerned person.read more. Some of the limitations are:

  • Sorting and filtering the data in excel
  • Conditional formattingConditional formatting is a technique in Excel that allows us to format cells in a worksheet based on certain conditions. It can be found in the styles section of the Home tab.read more
  • Merging Excel cellsMerging a cell in excel refers to combining two or more adjacent cells either vertically, horizontally or both ways. Merging excel cells is specifically required when a heading or title has to be centered over an area of a worksheet.read more
  • Hyperlinks in ExcelA hyperlink is an inbuilt function in excel used to create hyperlinks for a particular cell. When the hyperlink is created, it redirects to a specific webpage. The hyperlink formula has two arguments, one is the URL while the other is the name we provide to the URL.read more.

You can use those features but would not be able to add or change them.

  • After sharing the workbook, when one or more users are editing on the same workbook simultaneously, some edits can affect the same cells too.
  • In these situations, the Excel sheet keeps the changes of the user who saved the workbook first.
  • When another user saves the workbook, it will display the Resolve Conflicts dialog box.
  • It will display all the information about the conflict changes.
  • To resolve conflicts, we can act accordingly by clicking on “Accept Mine,” “Accept Other,” etc.

Recommended Articles

This has been a step by step guide to Share Excel Workbook File. Here we discuss how to Share an Excel Sheet, highlight the changes done in excel, and how to accept/reject the changes done by other users along with practical examples and downloadable templates. You may learn more about excel from the following articles –

  • Subscript in Excel
  • Using Excel Extensions
  • Conditional Formatting in Pivot Table
  • How to Share Excel Workbook?To share an Excel workbook, first open it in Excel>go to the Review tab and click on Share Workbook>go to the editing tab and check the box. You can see who has opened it in the same tab.read more

Reader Interactions

Share using co-authoring or the shared workbook feature

Updated on November 12, 2021

What to Know

  • Sign up for OneDrive if you don’t already have an active account.
  • Open the workbook and select Share > Sign In. Enter a name and choose a OneDrive folder, then select Save. Select Share again.
  • Under Sharing Options, select Invite People and enter the recipients’ email addresses. Check Can Edit to grant editing privileges.

With shared Microsoft Excel workbooks, you can collaborate with others by adding or modifying data, formulas, and formatting on the fly from multiple locations and devices. Here’s how to share an Excel file in Microsoft 365, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, and Excel Online.

Sign Up for OneDrive

If you use Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office, you may have an active OneDrive account. If not, or if you’re unsure, sign up for OneDrive before continuing. The only exception is if you intend to share an Excel file hosted on a SharePoint Online library or internal network, in which case, you don’t need a OneDrive account.

Before you can share a spreadsheet for co-authoring purposes, you must save it in the XLSX, XLSM, or XLSB format.

How to Share an Excel File in Microsoft 365 or Excel 2019

To share an Excel workbook:

Newer versions of Excel replaced the Shared Workbook feature with a service called co-authoring. It allows for similar collaboration and offers advanced tools that aren’t available in older versions of Excel.

  1. Open the Excel workbook you wish to share.

  2. Select Share, located in the upper-right corner of the screen and below the Search Sheet bar.

  3. In the Share dialog box, select Sign In.

    If you’re signed in to your Microsoft account, go to step 6.

  4. When prompted for your Microsoft account credentials, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the authentication process.

  5. Once signed in, return to the main Excel window and select Share again.

  6. In the Name field, enter a title for the shared workbook.

  7. Select the Place drop-down menu to choose where to share the file, for example, OneDrive. In most cases, this is the preferred location unless you use a SharePoint library or an internal network location.

  8. Select Save.

  9. The file uploads to the repository you chose in step 7. Select Share.

  10. In the Sharing Options pop-up list, select Invite People.

    You don’t have to share the workbook for collaboration purposes. If you’d rather share a read-only version, select Send a Copy.

  11. In the Invite People dialog, type the email addresses of the people you want to share the workbook with. Separate each email address with a comma.

    You can type names from your contacts in place of email addresses. In this case, you’re prompted to grant Excel access to the corresponding application. 

  12. Enter a message for the recipients, if desired.

  13. The Can Edit option, accompanied by a check box, is disabled by default for precautionary purposes and dictates that the recipients can’t modify the Excel file. To remove this read-only restriction, select the check box so that the check mark appears.

  14. Select Share. Your recipients are notified that a workbook has been shared with them.

How to Share a File in Excel Online

Just like Excel for Microsoft 365 and Excel 2019, the web-based version of Excel uses the co-authoring features in place of what used to be known as Shared Workbooks.

  1. Go to Excel Online in a web browser and open the workbook you want to share.

  2. Select Share, located in the upper-right corner of the browser window to display the Invite People dialog box.

  3. In the To field, type the email addresses of the people you want to share the workbook with, each separated by a comma.

  4. In the Add a quick note field, enter a relevant message for your recipients.

  5. Select Recipients can edit.

  6. Two drop-down menus appear. The first contains the following options: Recipients can edit (default) and Recipients can only view. If you choose the latter, your recipients receive the workbook with read-only restrictions.

  7. The second drop-down menu dictates whether your recipients require a Microsoft account to access the document. Select the option that meets your needs.

  8. Select Share. Your recipients are notified that a workbook has been shared with them.

How to Share a File in Excel 2016 

Follow the Microsoft 365 instructions, as the co-authoring feature and the steps are similar. The main difference is the Share button, which appears in the upper-right corner and is represented by a head and torso alongside the word Share.

If you’d like, you can use the Shared Workbook feature. To do so, add the appropriate options to the Quick Access Toolbar by following the steps below.

Unless you have a specific need to enable the original Shared Workbook functionality, such as sharing on a restricted network with particular requirements, use co-authoring instead.

Add a Shared Workbook Button in macOS

To add the Shared Workbook functionality in macOS:

  1. Select Excel > Preferences.

  2. In the Excel Preferences dialog, select Ribbon & Toolbar, located in the Authoring section.

  3. Select Quick Access Toolbar.

  4. In the Choose commands from setting, select Review Tab.

  5. In the list of options provided, select Share Workbook (Legacy) to highlight it.

  6. Select the right bracket (>) found next to the Share Workbook (Legacy) option so that it moves to the list labeled Customize Quick Access Toolbar.

  7. Select Save to complete the process. You can now begin the sharing process from the Excel toolbar.

Add a Shared Workbook Button in Windows

Follow these steps to add the Shared Workbook functionality to Excel 2016 for Windows:

  1. Select File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar.

  2. Select Choose commands from to expand it, then select All Commands.

  3. Scroll down and select Share Workbook (Legacy) to highlight it.

  4. Select Add.

  5. Add each of the following commands, one at a time: Track Changes (Legacy), Protect Sharing (Legacy), Compare and Merge Workbooks.

  6. After these items are added, select OK to return to the main Excel window. You can now begin the sharing process from the Excel toolbar.

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How to Share an Excel File Step-by-Step (2023)

How to Share an Excel File Step-by-Step (2023)

Gone are the days when you’d email an Excel file to your team members, and wait for it to be edited by them. And when received back, merge the changes to the original file manually 😫

Even sounds so tiring. With newer versions of Microsoft Excel (starting from Excel 2010 and onwards), you can share an Excel file with your team members and work on it simultaneously.

No, not kidding – you can do that. How? The guide below will teach you to do that 👇

So let’s jump right in.

To share an Excel workbook via OneDrive, you only need to save it to your OneDrive. And then allow access to the same to your colleagues.

Once this is done, you and your team members (with whom the file has been shared) can simultaneously edit it, and you can track the changes in real time 💪

There are two ways how you can share files via OneDrive:

  1. By logging on to OneDrive, signing in to your account, and uploading the files there.
Logging into OneDrive
  1. By downloading the OneDrive app from here.
Downloading the OneDrive App

After you have downloaded it, sign in with your Microsoft Account details. If you don’t have one already, take out 5 minutes to create one 💭

Once you’ve set up everything, you’re OneDrive Folder will appear under your Files and Folders like this.

The OneDrive App

Now let’s see how you can save a file to OneDrive to share it.

  1. Look out for the Share button on the top right corner of your Excel workbook (that is to be shared).
The share button
  1. Click on it.

You’d see the Share dialog box as follows. If you’ve already set up your account, it’d appear here.

Share to OneDrive
  1. Select the account where you want the workbook uploaded.

You’d then see the dialog box to Send the link as follows:

Send link
  1. Type in the email addresses of the recipients with whom you want to share the file.

To share the file with multiple people at the same time, add the name of one recipient, then add a semicolon before you write in the name of the second recipient ✍

Kasper Langmann, Microsoft Office Specialist
  1. Click on the Send button.

With this, the file will be shared. And the recipients will now be able to access the shared workbooks from the link sent to them (via email)📨

Here’s another easy way to share an Excel file via OneDrive:

  1. Launch the OneDrive Folder on your Desktop.
  2. Drag and drop your Excel file into this folder.
Dragging and dropping the Excel file

Once you have dropped the file in the OneDrive folder, you’d see this blue icon status at first 🔁

The blue icon

This tells us that the file is still in the process of being uploaded. Once it turns green (like the image below), the file is now uploaded to your OneDrive account ✅

The green icon

Files uploaded to OneDrive are saved on the cloud. You can access them from any Excel app on another device (like Excel mobile, or another Excel desktop app). OneDrive offers each user a storage space of up to 5 GB.

Kasper Langmann, Microsoft Office Specialist

With this, you are ready to share the file with anyone you like.

  1. Right-click on the file from your OneDrive folder to launch the context menu.
  2. Click on Share.
Share Excel workbook

You’ll be navigated to the following window where you can type the addresses of the recipients. And the subject Excel workbook will be shared with them 👀

Send link

Excel co-authoring

Excel co-authoring is just like sharing a file via OneDrive. However, this feature of Excel and OneDrive takes sharing a level ahead.

Pro Tip!

Co-authoring is where multiple users can co-author (edit) the shared Excel file simultaneously.

No more mess of creating and saving multiple versions for the same file 😍

To co-author an Excel workbook:

  1. Look out for the Share button on the top right corner of your Excel workbook.
The share button
  1. Click on it.
  2. From the Share dialog box, click on the pencil icon on the right ✏
  3. Set the Access options to ‘Can Edit’.
Setting the file format to editing
  1. Type in the email addresses of the recipients with whom you want to share the file.

Like we have added a recipient here.

Adding recipients for editing
  1. Click on share.

The recipient will receive an email with the link to access the file.

  1. Again navigate to the top right of your workbook to see more profiles there. This shows who is currently co-authoring your Excel workbook 🚀
Profiles for co-authoring

Not just that – you can also track changes being made by them to the same spreadsheet in real-time. In short, it works just like Google Sheets does.

Co authoring feature of a Excel shared workbook

Isn’t this just so cool 😎

Unshare an Excel file

After you’ve granted access to your team members to an Excel file, you can always withdraw the access.

To unshare Excel files, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to the OneDrive folder on your PC. Or log on to OneDrive from your browser.
  2. Right-click on the Excel shared workbook that is to be unshared.
  3. From the context menu that launches, select “Manage Access”.
Manage Access
  1. From the Manage Access dialog box, click on Stop Sharing ❌
Stop Sharing button

Doing so, the file will be unshared. This means no other users (with whom the files were shared) will be able to access the file.

If you want to remove the sharing link only:

  1. From the Manager Access dialog box, click on the cross button next to the sharing link.
Remove sharing link

Anyone who has this link can access and edit the subject workbook. However, once you remove this link, other members cannot access the subject Excel file through this link 🎯

  1. Alternatively, if you only want to remove the file access from certain members, scroll down to see the list of people who have access to the subject file.
 People who have access to the file
  1. Click on the cross sign to the right of the member’s name to remove his access.

If you don’t want to take away the access but only change the access settings:

  1. Under the Link Settings, click on the drop-down menu icon next to the access type.
  2. Change the access type by clicking on it.
 Changing the access type

If you don’t want to unshare it altogether, just change the access type from ‘Can Edit’ to ‘Can view’ 🙈

The members with whom the file was shared will now only be able to view the file. But won’t be able to make any changes to it. That’s how you can take away the co-authoring rights from any member.

Pro Tip!

If you want to change the access type for any specific member only (and not all members):

  1. Launch the Manage Access dialog box.
  2. Go to the list of persons who have access to the file.
  3. Click on the ellipsis button next to each person’s name.
  4. Change the access permission for that person.

Kasper Langmann2023-02-24T10:16:22+00:00

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