Co-Authoring Excel merging problems

Hi Vincent,

First, I would like to explain that your Office version is not the newest. I suggest you update your Office to achieve the better experience:

1. Open Excel.

2. Select File>click Account.

Besides, could you please provide the following information to better understand the situation?

1. Check if the issue occurs when you use filter.

2. Check if all users meet the issue.

3. The affected file. As we need to reproduce the issue.

To protect your privacy, I've sent you a private message to collect the information. You can access it via private message。

Thanks,

Qing

Hi Vincent,

Did the issue still exist? Do you have any updates?

Thanks,

Qing

Hi Quig,

Thank you to help me for our problem. Yes, the issue still exists.

Yes, I didn't have the last update. I think that our IT service doesn't update office each time but for the major updates. 

In this link : What's new in Excel 2016 for Windows

I learn that we have August 2017 updates. Collaborative editing comes with July 2017 updates.

Do you know if the next updates improve co-authoring with filters for examples ?

To respond to your questions :

1) It occurs only when we use filters

2) All users meet this issue.

3) I send you via private message the scenario with pictures and the file.

Thanks a a lot,

Vincent

Hi Vincent,

I tested with Monthly Channel 1802.9029.2253 and Monthly Channel(targeted) with two test accounts. I used the sample file in the private message:

1. User A opens the worksheet from a document library with Excel desktop app. Turn off AutoSave.

2. User B opens the same worksheet with Excel desktop app on another computer. Doesn't turn off AutoSave. Two users can see each other is editing in the worksheet.

3. User B make some changes with filter. Enter some texts. AutoSave saved changes automatically.

4. User A make some changes with filter. Enter some texts. Click Save button. Changes saved without problem. Also can see the change makes by User B.

As you mentioned, you open the file from OneDrive, do you mean the OneDrive sync client? If yes, please right-click the sync client icon>Settings>Office>capture a screenshot for your settings under this tab.

Meanwhile, in you scenario, does your colleague also opens the worksheet with desktop Excel? Is his Excel the same version as yours?

Best regards,

Tim

Hi Vincent,

Are there any updates? Does Excel work properly when co-authoring?

Regards,

Tim

Hi Tim,

I test the different cases. See below : 

Do you have the same results as me ?

When you say, “also can see the change makes by User B. “ Do you mean I don’t see my filter anymore but user B filter ? Is it normal for you  ?

Yes, I have opened the two accounts with OneDrive sync clients.

Yes my colleague also opens the worksheet with desktop excel with the same versions as me.

For my tests, I use a new computer with windows 10 for the second user. I am on windows 7. I was incapable of repeating the merging problem and I don’t know why. I still have problems because I see user B filters or I have to save again but it’s works. Do you know if the OS (windows 7 or windows 10) have an impact for co-authoring ?

Thanks you for your help,

Best regards,

Vincent

Hi Vincent,

Based on my test, I can get similar result as you.

Case 1: User A, B both enable AutoSave.

In this case, as A, B both enable AutoSave, so changes will be auto saved to each other side when they filter some columns. It means filter operation will influence each other.

Case 3-1, 3-2: One user enable AutoSave, the other disable it.

In this case, user who disable AutoSave won't be influenced by the other user. When he save the change, the other user who doesn't disable AutoSave will be influenced. Changes will appear on that user's side.

Case 4: Two users disable AutoSave.

Both of them won't be influenced by each others change.

However, Case 3-1, 3-2 and 4 is not the best practice for Excel real-time coauthoring. It may cause some unexpected issues. For example, cannot merge changes, one user needs to sync again.

So, for this thread, my understanding is that the co-authoring doesn't work very properly when there are some filter operations. It will influence another user who is editing at the same time. But disable AutoSave may cause some unexpected errors. In this situation, I suggest you submit a feedback via Excel Uservoice. This is the best way to let the related team hear your voice.

Meanwhile, there is no article mentions that Windows 7 doesn't support Excel co-authoring based on my search. To learn more about Excel real time co-authoring, see Collaborate on Excel workbooks at the same time with co-authoring.

Thanks for your understanding.

Tim

Hi Tim,

Unfortunately, there is still no good solution.

I check Excel user voice website. There are 2 topics for this feature :

1 for Excel online : Co-authoring with personnal filters on excel online

There are 628 votes !

1 for Excel desktop : Co-authoring with personnal filters on excel desktop

There are 46 votes !

So today (28 ^thMarch, 2018), we are 674 project managers who need this feature for their teams.

Microsoft, please implement this!

Many Thanks,

Vincent

Today May 03, still no update...

Most recent response from MSFT is 

Hello Everyone. We agree with you! The experience you’ve captured here is at the top of our list to address with a future coauthoring feature. I can’t share a timeline for when this will be delivered but wanted to let you know that we do recognize the impact not having this ability has on your coauthoring experience. Stay tuned for more. 
Scott (Microsoft Excel PM)