How to save and retrieve data inputs in an external workbook.

[crawfme]

I have an Excel spreadsheet that will be used by 2 users. It has a form that they populate with information required to perform a calculation and they can save their inputs if they choose. Currently there is a sheet in the file where their inputs are saved. The data on this sheet is also used to populate a drop-down list on the form if they want to retrieve an existing case.

I would like to instead have a separate workbook where the data is saved to avoid conflicts when they are both using the file. I would also need to use this external file to populate the drop down list for retrieving cases.

The only way I know to do this is to write macro code that would open the workbook with the saved cases, copy and paste the data into the file where the calcs are done, and then close the saved cases file. If they wanted to save their input I would write code that would re-open the saved cases workbook and copy the data back out and then close the file.

I'm sure this isn't the best way to do this and there is the risk that the 2 users could overwrite one another's results. Can anyone tell me how I should approach this instead?

 

[SkipVought]

Hi,

Have you checked out the Shared Workbook feature?

Skip,

_{Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE!}