Unlocking a file

Issues with installing under all versions of MS Windows
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Hokiepokie
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Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2021 10:39 pm

Unlocking a file

Post by Hokiepokie »

I went to a long time created spreadsheet, clicked to open and got message "file being edited by unknown person", I could open a "read only file". I don't remember doing anything special and could not find a help file that addresses this situation. I'm sure it's something simple and obvious but would welcome some enlightenment. THANS
open office 3.1 on Windows 10
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DiGro
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Location: Hoorn NH, The Netherlands

Re: unlocking a file

Post by DiGro »

Probably there is a left #.lck-file next to the existing spreadsheet.

.lck-files are made when you are editing a document and should automagically be removed when you close the document.

I think somehow you're lck.file (lockfile) didn't get removed.
You can delete it safely and you're spreadsheet should open normally.
____________
DiGro

AOO 4.1.15 (Dutch) on Windows 11. Scanned with Ziggo Safe Online (F-Secure)
Hokiepokie
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Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2021 10:39 pm

Re: Unlocking a file

Post by Hokiepokie »

Thanks for the reply. I am not very computer savvy. Opening both Open Office and Documents with Windows Explorer does not show me a file name where I could see the extension you mention.
Can you explain how to get to the file, please. Steven
open office 3.1 on Windows 10
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DiGro
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Re: Unlocking a file

Post by DiGro »

Simplest solution:

Type the name of your file (for example: IAmLOst.ods) in the Search box of Win 10 ( right next to menu Start)

That should find your spreadsheet with the same name and also show you the location of that file in a window next to the Search result.
Location1.png
On that location you should look for the ~lock# file
(just click on the link and it will bring you there)
Search results
Search results
Location.png (6.96 KiB) Viewed 3573 times
____________
DiGro

AOO 4.1.15 (Dutch) on Windows 11. Scanned with Ziggo Safe Online (F-Secure)
Hokiepokie
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2021 10:39 pm

Re: Unlocking a file

Post by Hokiepokie »

DiGro

Sorry to be difficult but when I click on the magnifying glass next to the Start button and type in the name of the file I get web search results - not what you illustrated in your
previous post. I appreciate your efforts
open office 3.1 on Windows 10
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Hagar Delest
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Re: Unlocking a file

Post by Hagar Delest »

See if that helps: [Solved] AOO 4.1.7 opens "Document in Use" "Open Read-Only"?
It's another way to do what DiGro told. There are screenshots that may help.

Please add [Solved] at the beginning of the title in your first post (top of the topic) with the *EDIT button if your issue has been fixed.
LibreOffice 7.6.2.1 on Xubuntu 23.10 and 7.6.4.1 portable on Windows 10
Bill
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Re: Unlocking a file

Post by Bill »

Hokiepokie wrote:Opening ...Documents with Windows Explorer does not show me a file name where I could see the extension you mention.
Click the View tab in File Explorer. There should be a Show/hide section on the Ribbon where you can find the option to show/hide file name extensions.
AOO 4.1.14 on Ubuntu MATE 22.04
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