XLS creating local file, then not clearing it.

[ApolloSZ]

Curly one....

Ok. So on occasion we get a call at work. User has opend an XLS file from our intranet, and printed or what ever, closes the file, then re-opens the file from the intranet, and gets a "This file is in use and has been locked by "sameuserwhoopenedit".

Yet another user can then open the same link fine from the intranet.
As far as I can see, the xls file is creating a local file in "C:\Docs & Settings\Username$\Local Settings\Temporary Internet files\Content.IE5\XXXX\xxx.xls" and then not removing it after the file is closed.

XXXX is one of the hidden folders there, and the xxx.xls is the file.

I've tried turning off "Copy remotely stored files onto your computer and update the remote file when saving" in Word, but this isn't affecting it and excel doesn't have a similar option.

This is happening in Office 03, and Office 07, on Windows XP (SP2/3).

Anyone know either a) How to make excel clear that local file or b) add a tag on the webpage to stop the local file being made (but still letting user open/edit/save the file)

[It's me]

Make sure the OS read-only flag is set. Users will be able to save etc. a local copy, but they won't be able to put locks on the network copy.

[Pedersen]

Okay, here's the thing: In order for the browser to pass the file to Excel, the browser must download the file somewhere. In your case, it's storing it in the temporary internet files.

Now, the browser does not have any way of telling when Excel is done with the file, so it can't delete the file. As far as Excel is concerned, this is a local file on the computer, so it's not going to delete it either. Excel and the browser are doing their jobs correctly here, frustratingly enough.

The whole "remotely stored files" flag would only have an effect if you are working with files stored on network drives, so that's why that is having no effect.

Now, the one place that things are breaking down is in Excel having a lock on that file. Are you sure the user is actually exiting Excel? If they're just closing the window, but the file is left open somewhere else, then what will happen is the browser does a relaunch of Excel, giving it the spreadsheet it already downloaded. The end result will be what you've described.

Double-check that Excel is actually no longer running on the system, and then re-click the link. I'll bet it works properly then.