Excel Error Codes

How to Fix Excel Runtime Error 1004: This File Is Locked

Ayan Masood Oct 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users encounter Runtime Error 1004 stating the file is locked when attempting to save an Excel workbook located on a shared network drive.

How to Fix Excel Runtime Error 1004: This File Is Locked

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Saving an existing Excel workbook that is stored on a shared network drive or folder.
Observed behavior: Excel displays Runtime Error 1004 indicating the file is locked, preventing the user from saving changes, even if the file opened normally and other users can edit it.

Before you start

Ensure all other users on your network have completely closed the shared Excel file, and verify that your computer has a stable, active connection to your organization's network drive.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Network Folder Permissions and Test Locally

Determine if the error is caused by insufficient network folder permissions rather than the file itself by isolating the workbook on a local drive.

When Excel saves a file, it creates a temporary file and deletes the original one. If you only have 'Read' and 'Write' access to a network folder but lack 'Modify' or 'Delete' permissions, Excel cannot complete the save process, resulting in a locked file error.

Copy file to local drive

Open the shared network folder, right-click the affected Excel workbook, select 'Copy', and paste it onto your local Desktop.

Test saving locally

Open the local copy of the workbook in Excel, make a small edit to a cell, and click the 'Save' icon or press Ctrl + S.

Request network permissions

If the local file saves successfully, the issue lies with network permissions. Contact your IT administrator and request 'Modify' and 'Delete' permissions for the specific network folder housing the files.

Verify Network Folder Permissions and Test Locally

Permission verification: Having your IT admin grant modify and delete rights at the folder level almost always resolves persistent 1004 lock errors on shared drives.

Solution 2

Remove Workbook Protection and Clear Phantom Locks

Ensure the workbook isn't password-protected or locked by an invisible background instance of Excel.

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Use WPS Office for Seamless Network File Editing

If Excel consistently locks your network files with Runtime Error 1004, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides robust compatibility with Microsoft formats and smooth handling of shared files, all within a lightweight, free suite.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) files and shared network drivesLightweight architecture minimizes background process lock-upsFree to download and use for your daily spreadsheet operationsFamiliar tabbed user interface requires zero learning curve

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel say my file is locked when I am the only one using it?

This usually happens if Excel crashed previously and left a hidden background process running, or if the network server hasn't properly released the file lock from a previous session. Using Task Manager to end all Excel processes often clears this phantom lock.

Can folder permissions cause Runtime Error 1004?

Yes. When you save a file, Excel temporarily creates a new background file and attempts to delete the old one. If you only have 'Read' and 'Write' access but lack 'Delete' or 'Modify' permissions on the network folder, Excel fails to replace the file, triggering Error 1004.

Does checking 'Read-only' on a network folder cause this Excel error?

Yes, if the shared folder or the file properties are set to read-only at the system level, Excel cannot overwrite the existing file. You must right-click the folder, go to Properties, and ensure the 'Read-only' attribute is unchecked.

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