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Why suddenly can I not save my Numbers/Excel files because "Read-only file system"?

on files I've used for years I'm now getting message that it can't be saved..."Read-only file system".

Numbers-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 2, 2013 8:58 AM

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37 replies

Jul 2, 2013 10:21 AM in response to mickeywright

Thanks Yellowbox: As far as I can tell, whatever has happened, or I've done, has effected all Numbers and Excel files...no other programs. I cannot save or save as...I'm told "Read-only file system". I have googled for suggestions and have seen where others have had similar problems, but so far I have not found anything that works. Also, my files don't appear to be locked and my attempts to export get the same result. I do appreciate your attempt to help though!

Jul 2, 2013 10:26 AM in response to Yellowbox

Is this happening only with Numbers files, or with any document file (e.g., files saved by a word processor or text editor)?


Have you run Disk Utility's Repair Permissions?


The possibility exists that the volume on which the problem files are located has improper permissions settings for the files.


If you select one of the problem files in the Finder and then select File>Get Info, the bottom of the Get Info window that displays has a disclosure triangle labeled Sharing and Permissions. After clicking the disclosure triangle, a pane will display that shows your Mac's user accounts and the permissions that these accounts have for the selected file. If the permission is "Read Only," then you can change it as explained here.


HTH.

Jul 2, 2013 11:01 AM in response to Barry Fass-Holmes

Thanks Barry:


I have both Numbers and Excel applications (and files) and they are the only files this has happened to. No problem with Word (or Pages) or PowerPoint, (or Keynote) or Adobe Illustrator, PhotoShop, etc.

I have done as you instructed with Finder and Get Info, but under permissions (on these files) it says "You can only read."


I got my hopes up when I read your instructions for Disk Utility...I hadn't tried that. Well, I now have and it did no good. :>(


I'm really bumfuzzled cause it doesn't make sense. If it was all programs I would suspect disk...if it was only Numbers or Excel, I would think maybe I should reinstall the program, but that doesn't make sense, since they both have the same problem.


I do thank you for trying to help though!

Jul 2, 2013 11:51 AM in response to mickeywright

If the permission is "Read Only," then you can change it as explained here.


Alternatively, can you save the problem files (from Numbers) to a USB pen drive, then copy the saved files from the pen drtive to your Mac and check the permissions?


If the permissions are correct after copying from the pen drive to your Mac, then reinstalling probably will not solve the problem.


HTH.

Jul 2, 2013 2:01 PM in response to Barry Fass-Holmes

Thanks again Barry: Your instructions to save the problem files to a USB pen drive...etc...led me to a solution. So, thank you, thank you. I do wish I understood "why" though.


I keep most data files on a USB pen drive...including these "problematic" ones...to free up space on the hard drive. Taking a clue from your instructions, I copyed one of the files onto the desktop and...voila!...it saved without hesitation. So, I believe I'll just need to work on the files on the harddrive from now on rather than the thumb drive. Any idea why it happened? Or, now that we know what was happening (or not happening) is there a way to set the settings to where I can work on the files directly on the thumb drive?


Thanks again for your help!

Jul 3, 2013 2:05 AM in response to mickeywright

Hi Mickey,


Have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive#Longevity


Perhaps it would be better to edit and save (save, save, save!) your documents on your computer. At the end of a session, make a single write as a backup to your USB pen drive. That will reduce the multiple writes that wear out a pen drive.


Buy another pen drive as a backup of your backups!


Regards,

Ian.

Jul 3, 2013 2:17 PM in response to Yellowbox

Thanks Yellowbox: Makes sense. I didn't realize writing directly to the pendrive would possibly harm it. For now at least, I have no choice but to save on the main drive and then store it on the pendrive.


Barry: The Get Info window only says "You can only read". I bought the pen drive at BestBuy...it's a 64 Gb by PNY and I assume it was formatted for OS X, but don't really remember for sure. Is there a way to find out?

Why suddenly can I not save my Numbers/Excel files because "Read-only file system"?

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