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Fix Excel Error: More Than One Person Is Editing the File
Question details
Users encounter a notification that multiple people are editing an Excel workbook, causing data refresh settings for PivotTables or connected data to pause.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Refreshing PivotTables or connected data in a shared workbook that is currently open by other users.
- Observed behavior
- Excel displays a message saying more than one person is editing the file and automatically pauses the background data refresh processes.
Determine if the data connection you are trying to refresh relies on a PivotTable or Power Query, as the troubleshooting steps differ slightly based on the data source.
Disable 'Refresh data when opening the file' in PivotTable Options
Adjusting the data refresh settings of your PivotTable prevents conflict when multiple users have the shared file open simultaneously.
Excel halts automatic data refreshes in co-authored environments to prevent data conflicts. By disabling the automatic refresh-on-open trigger for specific PivotTables, you can avoid this error and update the data manually when needed.
Open the affected Excel workbook and navigate to the worksheet that contains your PivotTable.
Right-click anywhere inside the PivotTable to open the context menu, then select 'PivotTable Options'.
In the PivotTable Options dialog box, click on the 'Data' tab. Uncheck the box labeled 'Refresh data when opening the file', then click 'OK' to apply the changes.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Collaboration
If you frequently encounter sharing limitations and data refresh conflicts in Microsoft Excel, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible spreadsheet environment that supports smooth collaboration and easy management of PivotTables.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite to your computer.
- 2. Open Your Shared Workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx file containing the PivotTables.
- 3. Collaborate Without Conflicts: Share the document via WPS Cloud to allow multiple users to edit and refresh data simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel pause data refresh when multiple users are editing?
Excel temporarily disables automatic data refreshes in co-authored workbooks to prevent data conflicts, file corruption, and synchronization issues while multiple people are actively modifying the file.
How do I manage Power Query refresh settings in a shared workbook?
Navigate to the Data tab, click 'Queries & Connections', right-click your specific query, choose 'Properties', and adjust the refresh control settings such as unchecking 'Refresh data when opening the file'.
Can I force a manual refresh if automatic refresh is paused?
Yes, you can manually update the data by going to the Data tab on the ribbon and clicking 'Refresh All', provided no other user is actively locking the specific data source or query.
