Sharing workbook as copy / readonly?

[cuetipper]

So what i would like to do is to create a workbook that is a live link to a worksheet in another workbook.
My needs are:
1] it be accesable to several ppl at the same time
2] no one can save or make chaneges to it
3] that it updates as the primary worksheet changes

can this be done?
tks
-Eds

 

[6StringJazzer]

It can be done. How easy it is depends on how complex the original workbook is. You have to use formulas in each cell that refer back to the original, then you would Protect the sheets to prevent edits.

For example, A1 on Sheet1 of the copy would have a formula that looks like

='[The Original.xlsx]Sheet1'!A1&""

Then you would fill that into all cells that correspond to cells used in the original.

I don't know if it would be a live link. Is this what you want: If Fred has the copy open, and you update the original, you want Fred to see the change you made immediately as soon as you make it? Something like that may work in SharePoint but I doubt it can be done using a shared network drive. How are you storing these files and making them available to multiple people?

 

[cuetipper]

Yes that is what I would prefer.

 

[6StringJazzer]

See question above: "How are you storing these files and making them available to multiple people?"

 

[cuetipper]

The file is on a network server. Have not shared it yet

 

[6StringJazzer]

I do not know how to do this on a network server.