An Excel file configured for sharing can be opened by 256 users simultaneously. This limit applies to workbooks where the "Allow changes by more than one user at the same time" setting is enabled.
When an Excel workbook is set up for collaborative use, it allows multiple users to access and make changes to the same file concurrently. This feature is crucial for teams working on shared data and projects.
Excel Shared Workbook Limits
For workbooks designed to support multi-user access, specific limitations are in place to ensure performance and data integrity. The primary limit for simultaneous users is as follows:| Feature | Maximum Limit |
|---|---|
| Users who can open the file at the same time | 256 |
| Personal views in the workbook | Limited by available memory |
| Days that change history is maintained | 32,767 (default is 30 days) |
Understanding Collaborative Excel Features
The ability for multiple users to open an Excel file simultaneously is part of Excel's shared workbook feature. This functionality is distinct from simply opening a file in read-only mode, which any number of users can do. For simultaneous editing, the workbook must be explicitly configured to allow sharing.Considerations for Shared Workbooks
While shared workbooks facilitate collaboration, it's important to be aware of their characteristics:- Enabling Sharing: To allow multiple users to open and edit a file at the same time, the workbook needs to be saved as a shared workbook through Excel's options.
- Performance: While up to 256 users can open the file, performance may vary depending on network conditions, the complexity of the workbook, and the nature of the changes being made.
- Feature Limitations: Some Excel features might be limited or behave differently in a shared workbook environment. For modern collaboration, Microsoft often recommends co-authoring features available through OneDrive or SharePoint, which offer a more robust real-time collaboration experience without the 256-user limit of the older shared workbook feature.
For more detailed specifications and limits in Excel, you can refer to the official Microsoft Support documentation on Excel specifications and limits.
