❔ Multiple Read and write to an excel file simultaneously C#
Team, Can multiple users read an excel file ( say which is stored in network ) and update the values ..Similar to excel online... Will there be a lock ? Any one suggest or guide please
13 Replies
I am no expert, but as far as i know when working with some "external" device (network adapter, USB, printer), then you need to work async. In your case you work with the network adapter, so you need to use async or your program will freeze. If multiple users exist, i also think you need threads or task on the network side, so it can handle multiple users
we need more info on what exactly you are trying to do.
simultaneous document editing is not a trivial feature. there is a lot that goes into it.
are you meaning you want to make an app where mutliple users can edit the same file at the same time? I would not recommend that.
How a lot of those apps that allow multiple users editing simultaneous is they have a database in the background and the data for the "file" is actually in a database rather than being an actual file like a standard
.csv file. and the data has to be segmented in a way it can be easily updated independently. for example you can't require saving the entire file every time an update is made.OK got it ...thanks for the pointer..
Yes the idea is to make an app where mutliple users can edit the same excel file at the same time.. but got your suggestion of using DB instead of directly interacting with the file ...
Was just curious how Excel online is implemented... Do you have any idea on its implementation?
I dont know it fore sure but they definetly use Databases.
your usecase indeed sounds fitting for a database.
like most things that require any central data storage technology xd
if your using something like sharepoint for example, multiple people should be able to edit it at the same time? I dont really remember, dont work with excel and word that much anymore.
Yes will go with DB ...
Honestly, depending on what your exact usecase is, having just a single api taking care of that one file handle would also do the trick
Yes SharePoint allows multiple user edit.
I just want to stress again though that this is not a trivial feature. There is a lot of nuance to it. Yes you will need a database, but you will need more than that.
Permissions, proper data segmentation to allow efficient edits, data/communication to show everyone currently editing the same file, possibly edit history (change tracking), etc. etc. etc.
but the users directly accessing the same file over e.g. smb is a bad idea and wont work like "expected"
well said ZP
not trying to discourage you. just trying to say the scope for this project is pretty large
This sounds good
Yes Understood @ZP ░▒▓█├■̶˾̶͞■┤█▓▒░ @lucheart going with db is the better option..Thanks for your inputs...
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