File Sharing Problems

Fix Excel Co-Authoring Not Working and Files Opening as Read-Only

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 1, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users are unable to use the co-authoring feature in Excel because shared files are opening in read-only mode for some collaborators.

How to Fix Excel Co-Authoring Not Working and Files Opening as Read-Only

Product: Microsoft Excel, OneDrive
Device & OS: macOS / Windows
Scenario: Multiple users in a Microsoft 365 Family plan are trying to collaborate on a shared Excel file using OneDrive desktop applications.
Observed behavior: The Excel file opens as read-only when another person has it open, and real-time co-authoring fails to function, especially when users switch between a shared OneDrive account and separate user accounts.

Before you start

Verify that your internet connection is stable and ensure that AutoSave is turned on in your Excel application.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Individual OneDrive Accounts and Share via Link

Co-authoring issues often occur when multiple devices use the same main OneDrive account. Sharing a secure link to individual accounts resolves this.

The standard method for collaborating in Microsoft 365 is for each user to sign in using their own personal Microsoft account. Sharing a single OneDrive account across multiple Macs or PCs can cause the system to lock the file for editing, resulting in a read-only error for secondary users.

Sign out of the shared account

Open the Excel desktop application, go to the Account section, and sign out of the main shared OneDrive account on all devices.

Sign in individually

Have each user sign in to the Excel application using their own separate Microsoft 365 account credentials.

Generate a sharing link

The original owner of the file should open the document, click the 'Share' button in the upper right corner, and generate an edit-enabled sharing link.

Open via the shared link

Distribute the link to the other users. They should click the link to open the file in their local Excel app, ensuring they are logged into their personal accounts.

Use Individual OneDrive Accounts and Share via Link

File Storage Location: Make sure the file is stored in a supported shared location like OneDrive or SharePoint Online, as co-authoring does not work on local drives or unsupported third-party clouds.

Solution 2

Recreate the Document to Clear Sync Glitches

If a file is permanently stuck in read-only mode despite correct account settings, migrating the data to a new file can clear hidden sync errors.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Collaborate seamlessly with WPS Office

If Microsoft Excel co-authoring continues to give you read-only errors or sync issues, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, highly compatible alternative that offers built-in cloud sharing and real-time collaboration without the complex account constraints.

1. Download and install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and sign in to your WPS account.
2. Save to WPS Cloud: Open your spreadsheet in WPS Spreadsheet and save it directly to your WPS Cloud.
3. Invite collaborators: Click the 'Share' button to generate a collaboration link and easily work on the document with your team at the same time.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) and CSV formats.Real-time multi-user collaboration enabled seamlessly via WPS Cloud.Free, lightweight, and features a familiar user interface for a zero-learning-curve migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my shared Excel file say read-only?

This usually happens if someone else has the file open in a version of Excel that does not support co-authoring, if the file is locked by the operating system, or if you were only granted viewing permissions by the file owner.

Can you co-author in Excel if the file is not in OneDrive?

No. Real-time co-authoring in Microsoft Excel requires the file to be saved in OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint Online. Local network drives do not support real-time co-authoring.

How do I force Excel to allow multiple users to edit?

You cannot force it through a single setting if conditions aren't met. You must ensure the file is in OneDrive/SharePoint, 'AutoSave' is enabled in the top-left corner, and all users are opening the file with Microsoft 365 accounts that have edit permissions.

Document & File Issues