Works: File Sharing in Works (80705)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 2.0
  • Microsoft Works 2.0a
  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • Microsoft Works 4.5
  • Microsoft Works 4.5a
  • Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0
  • Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0 4.0a
  • Microsoft Money 2000 Business and Personal
This article was previously published under Q80705

SUMMARY

The ability to share Microsoft Works for Windows files across a network depends on which module you are using, and the network or MS-DOS file attributes assigned to the file. The following table lists the file sharing options by tool.

NOTE: If the first user opens the file as read-only, the second user can also do this and can save changes. However, once user two has saved the changes, user one will not be able to save the file using the same name. The first user will get a "file not found or already open" or "cannot save document" error message. To save the file, either user one needs to use a different name, or user two needs to close the file.

Works 4.0, 4.5, and 4.5a for Windows 95

 Tool           Opened by One User as   Available to Other Users as
 ------------------------------------------------------------------

 Word Processor       Read-Only             Read-Only
                      Read-Write            Not Available

 Spreadsheet          Read-Only             Read-Only or Read-Write
                      Read-Write            Not Available

 Database             Read-Only             Read-Only
                      Read-Write            Not Available

Works version 3.0 for Windows

 Tool           Opened by One User as   Available to Other Users as
 ------------------------------------------------------------------

 Word Processor       Read-Only             Read-Only
                      Read-Write            Not Available

 Spreadsheet          Read-Only             Read-Only or Read-Write
                      Read-Write            Read-Only

 Database             Read-Only             Read-Only
                      Read-Write            Not Available
NOTE: Works 3.0 and Works for Windows 95 are more restrictive with file sharing than Works 2.0 for Windows because of OLE 2.0.

Works version 2.0 for Windows

 Tool           Opened by One User as   Available to Other Users as
 ------------------------------------------------------------------

 Word Processor       Read-Only             Read-Only
                      Read-Write            Not Available

 Spreadsheet          Read-Only             Read-Only or Read-Write
                      Read-Write            Read-Only

 Database             Read-Only             Read-Only or Read-Write
                      Read-Write            Read-Only

MORE INFORMATION

To open an existing shared file, do the following:

  1. From the File menu, click Open Existing File.
  2. Select the file you want to open.
  3. If you want to open the file as read-only, select the Read-Only check box and click OK.
If you are not able to open several copies of a Works for Windows file according to the directions above, check the following:

  1. The MS-DOS file attributes: Make sure the file is not set to read-only.
  2. The Network file-sharing privileges: Make sure that the user has read-write privileges or administrator's rights to the file, its directory, and the shared drive.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Works for Windows User's Guide" version 3.0, page 615

"Guide to using Microsoft Works for Windows on a network," pages 8-9
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/15/2004
Keywords:kbinfo kbnetwork KB80705
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.