XL7: Commands and Features Unavailable in Shared Workbook

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you use the shared lists feature, by clicking the Allow Multi-User Editing check box on the Editing tab of the Shared Lists dialog box, some of the commands and features that you normally use in your workbook are not available.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because when you share a workbook file, you cannot use some of the Microsoft Excel features that you normally use. This behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel because of the way that a shared file is saved. For example, you cannot change cell formatting in a shared workbook.

MORE INFORMATION

The following information describes the features and commands that are not available while you are editing a shared workbook.

Menu Commands

The following table contains the menu commands that are unavailable (grayed) in a shared workbook:

   Menu       Command
   ------------------

   File       Properties

   Edit       Delete Sheet
              Links
              Object

   Insert     Worksheet
              Chart (sub menu items grayed)
              Macro (sub menu items grayed)
              Function
              Name (sub menu items grayed)
              Picture
              Map
              Object

   Format     Cells
              AutoFormat
              Style

   Tools      Scenarios
              Protection (sub menu items grayed)

   Data       Subtotals
              Table
              Group And Outline (sub menu items grayed)
              PivotTable

Toolbars

You cannot use any of the buttons on the following toolbars in a shared workbook:

   Formatting
   Forms
   Drawing
   Chart

   AutoSum
   Function Wizard
   ChartWizard
   Map
   Format Painter

Formulas

When you enter a formula on a worksheet in a shared workbook, you receive the following error message:

   New or copied formulas won't be saved while the file is being shared.
   Show this message in the future?

Objects

You can't select any objects on a worksheet in a shared workbook. This includes OLE objects, drawing objects and dialog controls.

Visual Basic Modules

When you share a workbook that contains a Visual Basic module, you receive the following error message:

   Cannot edit VBA modules in shared mode

   Can't edit module

Record New Macro

If you record a new macro in a shared workbook, the macro is recorded in a new workbook. In the Record New Macro dialog box, the "New Workbook" option under Store In is selected by default. The "This Workbook" option under Store In is unavailable in a shared workbook.

Chart Sheet or Dialog Sheet

Although you can select a chart sheet or dialog sheet in a shared workbook, you cannot select any of the items on the chart or custom dialog box.

Macro Sheet

You can select a macro sheet in a shared workbook. However, because commands on a macro sheet generally begin with an equal sign (=) (as when you enter a formula), you receive the error message listed above in the Formulas section. Note, however, that you CAN run a macro from a macro sheet in a shared workbook.