Can't open linked Excel worksheet in Access 2003

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I have an Excel file that has been set to share via Tools | Share Workbook. I have the worksheets (there are three worksheets in the workbook) in this Excel file set up as linked tables in an Access 2003 mdb file. I can open any one of the three linked tables in Access. I then open another instance of the same Access mdb, but I cannot open the same linked table in this second instance that I have open in the first Access instance. So much for Excel file sharing.
Also, if I attempt to open the workbook directly in Excel while having one of these linked tables open in Access, Excel complains saying: Cannot access ‘filename‘

Am I missing something or can’t Excel files be set up for use in an Access multiuser environment?

Thanks in advance for any help on this.

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I’m not sure this helps, but here goes. I’m using Office 2007, but suspect it is much the same. I used Review – Changes – Share Workbook. Then under the editing tab, I selected “Allow changes by more than one user at the same time.” I then linked to the workbook in two different Access applications. I could open both and view and edit. Without the selection in the editing tab checked, I could open the table in only one instance at a time.

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I could open both and view and edit.

Could you really Edit the linked tables in Access?
Microsoft says you can’t. They had to remove that a few years ago for legal resons.

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Could you really Edit the linked tables in Access?
Microsoft says you can’t. They had to remove that a few years ago for legal resons.

You are right. Can’t edit. It only looked like I could .

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I’m not sure this helps, but here goes. I’m using Office 2007, but suspect it is much the same. I used Review – Changes – Share Workbook. Then under the editing tab, I selected “Allow changes by more than one user at the same time.” I then linked to the workbook in two different Access applications. I could open both and view and edit. Without the selection in the editing tab checked, I could open the table in only one instance at a time.

Well, this is how I am doing it in Excel 2003 and it doesn’t work. Actually, checking the “Allow Changes…” check box is required if the file is to be shared. If the check box is cleared then the file is no longer shared.

I am aware of what John is pointing out; that the linked table is read-only due to the legal situation, but that is OK as I want the data for reporting purposes only.

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