how a file can change its type from '.xls' to '.tmp'
 

I have a file that keeps changing its name by itself and if I change it back
it locks the file

It sounds like you are attempting to change a Template file into a Workbook
file. Templates are intended to remain as such so that new workbooks can be
created based on tem rather than alway using blank workbooks that have to be
restructured each time.

It's best to not OPEN the template. Instead use FileNew or depending on
version of Excel, New from Template in the Task Pane. When you save the new
file it will prompt you for a name and be saved as a .xls as usual.

HTH |:)

"puzzled" wrote:

I have a file that keeps changing its name by itself and if I change it back
it locks the file

The only time I've seen mention of this has been when the Antivirus software was
leaving .tmp files hanging around.

When you save a file in excel, it does save it as a temporary name--but that
name is 8 alpha-numeric characters and doesn't have an extension.

If that save is successful, excel will delete the original name and rename that
funny named file to the original's name.


puzzled wrote:

I have a file that keeps changing its name by itself and if I change it back
it locks the file

--

Dave Peterson