Excel -issue with editing an excel document and using 'save as' function

Question

Excel -issue with editing an excel document and using 'save as' function

Wanda Knutson 0

I moved from macbook airbook (which was loaded with microsoft office) to a new neo 4 .. I re-purchased microsoft office on 7/2/26 ... On the macbook air I was able to edit and 'save as' an excel file with no problem but no longer able to do that on the neo. why? it keeps giving me error messages like 'read only' or document can't be edited at this time.

please help!

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Wanda Knutson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-10T20:38:33.01+00:00

how to get rid of 'read only' on excel
Wanda Knutson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-12T20:02:48.68+00:00
MacBook neo 4; Tahoe 26.5.2

I believe I purchased Microsoft 365 on 7/2/26 but check your records

installed thru my Microsoft account

it effects transferred files (xlsx) only - newly created ones seem ok

error msg: Your changes could not be saved to ‘name of my xlsx’ because of sharing violation. Try saving to a different file.
Norah-L 10,490 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-17T07:15:34.81+00:00
Dear Wanda,

Thank you for providing those details.

Please note that this is a user-to-user forum, so we cannot check your Microsoft purchase records.

Since newly created workbooks save normally and the error affects only transferred files, Excel appears to be activated correctly. The “sharing violation” is more likely related to the transferred files’ permissions or their current storage location.

Please try the following:

Copy one affected workbook to your Documents folder.

In Finder, select the copied file, then choose File > Get Info.

Make sure Locked is not selected. Under Sharing & Permissions, confirm your Mac account shows Read & Write.

Open the copied file in Excel and use File > Save As to save it with a new name, such as filename-copy.xlsx.

If that works, apply the same permission check to the folder containing the other transferred files.

If the issue continues, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access and allow Microsoft Excel, then restart Excel and test again.

2 answers

Your answer

Wanda Knutson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-10T20:38:33.01+00:00

how to get rid of 'read only' on excel
Wanda Knutson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-12T20:02:48.68+00:00

MacBook neo 4; Tahoe 26.5.2

I believe I purchased Microsoft 365 on 7/2/26 but check your records

installed thru my Microsoft account

it effects transferred files (xlsx) only - newly created ones seem ok

error msg: Your changes could not be saved to ‘name of my xlsx’ because of sharing violation. Try saving to a different file.
Norah-L 10,490 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-17T07:15:34.81+00:00

Dear Wanda,

Thank you for providing those details.

Please note that this is a user-to-user forum, so we cannot check your Microsoft purchase records.

Since newly created workbooks save normally and the error affects only transferred files, Excel appears to be activated correctly. The “sharing violation” is more likely related to the transferred files’ permissions or their current storage location.

Please try the following:

Copy one affected workbook to your Documents folder.

In Finder, select the copied file, then choose File > Get Info.

Make sure Locked is not selected. Under Sharing & Permissions, confirm your Mac account shows Read & Write.

Open the copied file in Excel and use File > Save As to save it with a new name, such as filename-copy.xlsx.

If that works, apply the same permission check to the folder containing the other transferred files.

If the issue continues, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access and allow Microsoft Excel, then restart Excel and test again.

Answer 1

Stefan Blom 351.3K MVP Volunteer Moderator

I moved from macbook airbook (which was loaded with microsoft office) to a new neo 4 .. I re-purchased microsoft office on 7/2/26 ... On the macbook air I was able to edit and 'save as' an excel file with no problem but no longer able to do that on the neo. why? it keeps giving me error messages like 'read only' or document can't be edited at this time.

how to get rid of 'read only' on excel

Is this problem with a particular Excel file or with any of your Excel files?

How about the other Office apps? Do you see any errors there?

0 comments

Answer 2

PII caution: Please note that this is a public forum for users. Do not post any sensitive or private information here for your privacy and security.

Hello Wanda Knutson,

I’m sorry you’re having trouble editing and saving Excel files on the new Mac. To narrow this down, could you please confirm:

The exact model of the new Mac and its macOS version, shown under Apple menu > About This Mac
The Office product purchased (such as Microsoft 365, Office Home 2024, or Office Home & Business 2024...)
Whether Office was transferred from the old Mac, downloaded from the Mac App Store, or installed through your Microsoft account.
Whether the issue affects every workbook, including a newly created blank workbook, or only files transferred from the old Mac
The exact error message displayed when you try to edit or use Save As

Please also note that a one-time purchase of Office can be installed on only one PC or Mac. If that edition is still installed on the old MacBook, the license may need to be transferred to the new Mac. Office 2024 and Office 2021 can be transferred to another computer you own, but Office must be removed from the previous computer as part of the transfer. See more: Transfer an Office license to another device.

I look forward to your additional information so we could determine the best next steps.

Thank you so much for your patience!

Norah-L 10,490 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-12T08:38:26.78+00:00

Hi Wanda Knutson

Have you had the chance to check my answer yet?

Please do keep me updated.