Hi, when people in work try to  open a particular excel file it says the file is reserved by me. How do I unreserve the file? The file is located in a Network folder accessible to many.

When I do the following, it already says its "unrestricted access"

• Click File.

• Go to Info.

• Click the drop down for Protect Workbook.

• Click Restrict Permission  by people.

• And ensure the option Unrestricted Access is selected.

Thanks.

:(

Hi,

Try the following steps:

1. Clear out the Temp directories on the computer that Excel says it is reserved for:
c:\windows\temp and c:\Documents & settings\<user name>\Local settings\Temp
(will need to set windows to show hidden and system files)
2. Reboot

    We just ran into the same issue, I have one file that says it is Reserved By <user name>. I made a copy of the file on my local machine but still have the same problem with the copy.  I tried saving from the original file to my local machine with a new name, same problem.  I removed all security (sharing had never been turned on for this file) and saved it to another name, SAME PROBLEM!

    This is what I did next and it worked:

I opened the original file, highlighted ALL the sheet tabs at the bottom and right clicked.

Select Move or Copy.  Under the To Book: option select (new book).  Check the Create a copy check box and select OK.

This will create a new Excel file with all your existing data, this file has never been saved so you can set your security they way you need it and save the file over the original (or with a different name to be safe). 

The "Reserved By <user name>" issue is now gone! (at least it work for me, hope it works for you)

I had the same issue and found the answer on Mr. Excel.

Thanks to tactps for this answer: 

With the file open, you can re-save it without the password, as follows:
1. Click on "Save-As" from the file menu
2. From the tools menu in the "Save As" window, choose"General Options".
3.Remove the password to modify.

http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/excel-questions/249846-reserved-file.html