Cannot write file to filesource. File is being locked.

[pladavm]

I have created several flows to update rows in Excel worksheet but I get this error a lot randomly, why does it say my file is locked? Even after I close the browser.

Details

Start time

Jun 29, 12:29 PM (2 minutes ago)

Duration

00:00:04

Status

Failed

Error

Action 'Insert row' failed

Error Details

Cannot write file to filesource. File is being locked. clientRequestId: 7f78bd52-b9ec-4ade-a3d1-d955aafdf79c serviceRequestId: 7f78bd52-b9ec-4ade-a3d1-d955aafdf79c;7f78bd52-b9ec-4ade-a3d1-d955aafdf79c;7f78bd52-b9ec-4ade-a3d1-d955aafdf79c

[SCTdan]

I was having this issue today too.  I disabled auto-save on the excel file and it ran just fine after that.  I don't know why that would have worked since I don't keep the file open, but maybe there's something server-side?    Worth a shot.

[Pion_G]

---

@SCTdan wrote:

I disabled auto-save on the excel file and it ran just fine after that.  

---

How do you do that ? I'm unable to locate that option (I'm using Excel Online)

[SCTdan]

As far as I'm aware, you are not able to disable that via excel online.  

[pladavm]

Hi @SCTdan and @Pion_G, thank you for participating. I think we definitely need an answer that works with online Excel, for business can't really offer a solution where people have unsynced Excel files on their desktop.

We need to continue our campaign to reach Microsoft on this issue.

@v-bacao-msft, @v-micsh-msft @GabrielStJohn

[ShaJonz]

Same issue here.  However, I want to access the Excel file that was updated with a Check-In row with a timestamp using Flow with a Check-out timestamp update in PowerApps. 

Before turning off autosave as suggested earlier, the Excel file was locked.  Now it is not locked, but it does not show the newly created Check-in row because Flow is still shown as editing the file and the row will not update with a ___PowerAppsid___.

[pladavm]

Yes but that doesn't exactly work for excel online and what if you want additional flow logic that relied upon the Excel table data. 

Turning off the autosave is not a solution. 

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised to know that we still havn't heard back from Microsoft about this issue yet.

[SCTdan]

Totally agree, workarounds / half-solutions aren't helpful.

[codjangmah]

Im also having the same issue.

Microsoft please help asap. We need a permanent solution not a temporary fix.

[Anonymous]

I am getting the same issue here, which is deeply frustrating.  Powerapps and Flow working together could create some incredible results, but this error is killing my ability to create functional, live data.  Waiting 30 minutes to get notified of something time-critical happening is not acceptable whatsoever.

[pladavm]

Everyone Please message Microsoft about this thread so they will be prompted to respond.

Just reply to message and type these mentions @v-yamao-msft @GabrielStJohn @v-bacao-msft @v-micsh-msft

Any new person that visits this thread, please leave a message with the above mentions so Microsoft are notified each time we have this issue. 

[GabrielStJohn]

Hey, @pladavm!

Thanks for posting on the Flow forum! Please report this issue to our support team for further assistance if it appears that the community is unable to further assist you. Heres the link:

https://preview.flow.microsoft.com/en-us/support/

Thanks again!

-Gabriel

Microsoft Flow Community Manager

[Pion_G]

---

@GabrielStJohn wrote:

Please report this issue to our support team for further assistance if it appears that the community is unable to further assist you. Heres the link:

https://preview.flow.microsoft.com/en-us/support/

---

Please tell me it's a joke.

[Harry_G]

hi @Pion_G @pladavm,

 To write data in excel file please follow these steps.

- Create Table in Excel file so you can append table row using flow action.

- Other important thing is when your flow writing the data in excel file your excel file must be closed , no one can editing it otherwise flow gives error of file locked and insert row failed error whether it is online excel sheet or using file system.

Thanks,

Harry_G

[pladavm]

Hi @Harry_G your solution is not relevant. The file locks in Excel Online even after you have exited the worksheet. 

[Anonymous]

Seeing this problem while working with PowerApps too.

@v-yamao-msft @GabrielStJohn @v-bacao-msft @v-micsh-msft

[Harry_G]

@pladavm I'm Sorry that my solution not work for your scenario but i tried and add rows in excel online sheet during editing and closed sheet. Please see the below images.

Thanks,

Harry_G

[pladavm]

Received a response from Microsoft, it is because using the wrong Excel connector. Need to use Excel Online (Business) connector. 

[pladavm]

@Harry_G Change your trigger from every day to every minute and then wait 30 minutes and see if it still continues, usually it will lock out after a few minutes. 

[Harry_G]

@pladavm I change my trigger to every minute every thing running smoothly, I'm using Excel online (Bussiness) connector. please see the below images;

recurrence After every 1 minuteFlow historyFlow historyrecords append in online Excel sheet

You can clearly see that i run flow for approximately more than 30 minutes but files working fine.

Thanks,

Harry_G