Mailings tab in Word and locked Excel file

[rgt27]

I recently created a number of template letters using the Mailings tab that draw from a single Excel file located on a public server. The templates are intended to be used by multiple people at the same time. Problem is, when one person has a template open, it locks the Excel file as well as makes it impossible for another person to use one of the template files. I've already done a bunch of research about this and have been unable to find a solution/workaround aside from everyone having their own copy of the excel file on their computer. This is not ideal as the main excel file gets updated frequently, so everyone using the templates would have to replace the excel file on a pretty regular basis. Anyone have a solution? Anyone know if Access behaves the same way?

 

[Macropod]

The answer depends on whether you can implement a SharePoint solution. See: Document collaboration and co-authoring - Office Support
If not, you're out of options on the workbook sharing.

As for the Word 'template letters' being locked, that suggests you're not using templates at all; rather you're using ordinary Word mailmerge main documents. Although using ordinary Word mailmerge main documents is generally the way to go (including in a SharePoint environment), if multiple users need these at the same time, you should consider saving them as true Word templates - which means Word will create a new mailmerge main document for each user to use (simply by double-clicking on the template), independently of any others that are in use.