Shared Workbook - prevent users entering same cell at same time

[gordsky]

I have a shared workbook that lets staff input their hours for overtime. The problem I have found is that two users can be typing in the same cell at the same time and the last one to enter will overwrite the other. Is there a way within a shared workbook to only allow one person to enter data into a cell at once.

 

[Jeffrey Mahoney]

You have found one of the major issues with the old workbook sharing process. I haven't found an easy workaround. I think the best way to "share" a workbook is to only allow each person to edit their own data. I have created data entry forms on sheets that allow a person to edit data and then save to a DB sheet.

 

[Micron]

Or do co-authoring? Your profile shows Office 2016 but I think that doesn't necessarily mean you have a 365 account. You need that for co=authoring.

 

[Jeffrey Mahoney]

@Micron . In your experience with Co-Authoring, doesn't it require that you share that with specific users? Meaning, anybody with access to a certain folder wouldn't be able to share the workbook?

 

[Micron]

Sorry, can't say; have never done so. I only know what little I read on the subject of sharing workbooks. It's my understanding that it has to be done in conjunction with OneDrive, so it needs a 365 account. M$ Access doesn't have a sharing problem like Excel does. I see so much being done or asking to be done around here with Excel when it really isn't the right tool for the job in many of those cases.