Error message when you open an Excel workbook that has a URL that is longer than 255 characters: "<File name> is locked for editing" (300629)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
This article was previously published under Q300629
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

When you open a Microsoft Excel 2000 workbook that has a URL that is longer than 255 characters, you may receive the following error message:
<File Name> is locked for editing
by '<User Name>'.

Click 'Notify' to open a read-only copy of the document and
receive notification when the document is no longer in use.
Note This error message does not appear the first time that you open the file. The message appears the second time and on subsequent times.

RESOLUTION

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk. To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Office 2000. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

276367 How to obtain the latest Office 2000 service pack

To enable this hotfix, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then click to select the following registry key:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Excel\Options

  3. After you select the key that is specified in step 2, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click DWORD Value.
  4. Type QFE_Kobe, and then press ENTER.
  5. Right-click QFE_Kobe, and then click Modify.
  6. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
  7. On the File menu, click Exit to exit Registry Editor.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:2/27/2006
Keywords:kbQFE kbExpertiseInter kbbug kbfix kbOffice2000SP3Fix KB300629 kbAudITPRO
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