OFF97: Errors Appear When Dragging Files into a Briefcase

• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Access 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Office 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you drag a Microsoft Excel workbook into a briefcase, you may receive the following error message:

   Update Briefcase
   '<filename>' will not be updated because its merge handler cannot be
   loaded.

   Update Briefcase
   '<filename>' will not be updated because its merge handler cannot be
   loaded.

   -or-

   Microsoft Office Binder Reconciler
   The binder could not be saved.
   The disk is write-protected.

   Briefcase
   Briefcase can't open the database '<filename>'.
   The Microsoft Jet database engine cannot open the file '<filename>'.
   It is already opened exclusively by another user, or you need
   permission to view its data.

   -or-

   Briefcase
   Briefcase can't open the database '<filename>'.
   Couldn't lock file.

CAUSE

These problems may occur when any of the following conditions are true:

• The file you are dragging is stored on a network share to which you have only read-only access.
• The read-only attribute for the file you are dragging is enabled.
• The Office 97 Binder or Microsoft Access 97 database files you are dragging is stored on a disk that is write-protected (the tab is open).
• You are dragging a Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 workbook into a briefcase on a machine where Microsoft Excel 97 is installed.

RESOLUTION

To prevent these problems from occurring, use the following appropriate method before you drag the file into a briefcase:

Method 1: Copy the File to Another Location

If the file is stored on a read-only network share or a write- protected disk, copy the file to a location to which you have write access (for example, your local hard drive, or a network share to which you have full or write permissions). Then, drag the file from the new location into the briefcase.

Method 2: Obtain Permission to Write to the Network Share

If the file is stored on a read-only network share, check with your network administrator to see whether you can obtain permission to write to the share. After you obtain permission, drag the file into the briefcase.

Method 3: Close the Tab on the Disk

If the file is stored on a write-protected disk, close the tab on the disk. Then, drag the file from the disk into the briefcase.

Method 4: Clear the Read-Only Attribute for the File

If the read-only attribute for the file is selected, clear it. To do this in Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, use the following steps:

1. In Windows Explorer, select the file by clicking it once.

2. On the File menu, click Properties.

3. Clear (uncheck) the Read-only check box. Then, click OK.

After you turn off the read-only attribute for the file, drag the file into the briefcase.

Method 5: Save the Workbook in the Microsoft Excel 97 Format

If the workbook is saved in the Microsoft Excel 5.0/95 format, open the workbook in Microsoft Excel 97 and save it in the Microsoft Excel 97 format by clicking Save As on the File menu, selecting "Microsoft Excel Workbook" in the Save As Type list, and clicking Save.

Once the workbook is saved in the Microsoft Excel 97 format, you should be able to drag it into the briefcase.

STATUS

This behavior is by design of the programs listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Office 97 includes a feature that allows you to reconcile files in a briefcase. This feature allows the briefcase to make changes to both the original copy of a file and the updated copy of a file at the same time.

To use this feature, you must have write permission to the file when you drag it into a briefcase. If you have permission, you receive one of the error messages in this article, and the file in the briefcase is not updated correctly.