How to filter on readonly workbooks

**ChemistB** · 09-19-2012, 12:04 PM

Opening a workbook as a read-only should not, in itself, cause the user to be unable to filter. Not sure if this is available in Excel 2002, but you shouldn't need a macro
When saving your "master workbook" use Save As and then click on the Tools dropdown of that window> General Options and check "Read Only recommended" Then the user will be prompted upon opening the file if they want to open it as a read only.
Hope that helps.

**wrathastorm** · 09-25-2012, 08:45 AM

Cheers for the reply. The file status is set by the IT dept, some people have readonly access, others have readwrite. Sometimes the people with readwrite want to open the file readonly, which is why i wrote a macro.
But really the issue is that if i save the file with filters on and then others add new rows the autofilter isnt refreshing to include the number of rows. Hope i have explained this clearly, the file is huge (16000 rows and growing) so staff need the autofilter to search for specific data.

**swapnilj1** · 09-25-2012, 11:34 AM

Hi Wrathstorm,
is your original file is password protected?
If you have the password or read-write option then you have to unprotect the sheet and has to tick ("allow all user of this worksheet to") Use Autofilter.
This will help all other users to use autofilter even if the file is in read only mode.

Thanks & Regards
Swapnilj1

**wrathastorm** · 09-26-2012, 03:31 AM

Good morning Swapnilj1
The file is password protected and i had already switched on "allow users to Autofilter" but this doesnt appear to be refreshing on opening - its only reading to the rows that it previously held even though the users have added more.
The only way around this is to open it, unprotect it and switch the autofilter of and on again - obviously this isnt practical. Surely there is an easy solution? (lol)

**swapnilj1** · 09-26-2012, 07:32 AM

Hi Wrathastorm,
I think you have to amend your code and include the filter range till lastrow.
Or you have to remove the filter on read-only mode and select entire data till lastrow and apply filter.
If your macro is applying filter on Master sheet then check for the range and amend it till lastrow.
Please check and revert in case of any further assistance.