diff --git a/include/xlnt/utils/exceptions.hpp b/include/xlnt/utils/exceptions.hpp
index a0a38a3f..70a92ecd 100644
--- a/include/xlnt/utils/exceptions.hpp
+++ b/include/xlnt/utils/exceptions.hpp
@@ -34,11 +34,10 @@ namespace xlnt {
 /// <summary>
 /// Parent type of all custom exceptions thrown in this library.
 /// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS error : public std::runtime_error
+class XLNT_CLASS exception : public std::runtime_error
 {
 public:
-    error();
-    error(const std::string &message);
+    exception(const std::string &message);
 
     void set_message(const std::string &message);
 
@@ -46,122 +45,114 @@ private:
     std::string message_;
 };
 
-class XLNT_CLASS value_error : public error
+/// <summary>
+/// Exception for a bad parameter value
+/// </summary>
+class XLNT_CLASS invalid_parameter : public exception
 {
 public:
-    value_error();
+    invalid_parameter();
 };
 
 /// <summary>
-/// Error for string encoding not matching workbook encoding
+/// Exception for bad sheet names.
 /// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS unicode_decode_error : public error
+class XLNT_CLASS invalid_sheet_title : public exception
 {
 public:
-    unicode_decode_error();
-    unicode_decode_error(char c);
-    unicode_decode_error(std::uint8_t b);
+    invalid_sheet_title(const std::string &title);
 };
 
 /// <summary>
-/// Error for bad sheet names.
+/// Exception for incorrectly formatted named ranges.
 /// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS sheet_title_error : public error
+class XLNT_CLASS invalid_named_range : public exception
 {
 public:
-    sheet_title_error(const std::string &title);
+    invalid_named_range();
 };
 
 /// <summary>
-/// Error for trying to modify a read-only workbook.
+/// Exception when a referenced number format is not in the stylesheet.
 /// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS read_only_workbook_error : public error
-{
-public:
-    read_only_workbook_error();
-};
-
-/// <summary>
-/// Error for incorrectly formatted named ranges.
-/// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS named_range_error : public error
-{
-public:
-    named_range_error();
-};
-
-/// <summary>
-/// Error when a referenced number format is not in the stylesheet.
-/// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS missing_number_format : public error
+class XLNT_CLASS missing_number_format : public exception
 {
 public:
     missing_number_format();
 };
 
 /// <summary>
-/// Error for trying to open a non-OOXML file.
+/// Exception for trying to open a non-XLSX file.
 /// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS invalid_file_error : public error
+class XLNT_CLASS invalid_file : public exception
 {
 public:
-    invalid_file_error(const std::string &filename);
+    invalid_file(const std::string &filename);
 };
 
 /// <summary>
 /// The data submitted which cannot be used directly in Excel files. It
 /// must be removed or escaped.
 /// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS illegal_character_error : public error
+class XLNT_CLASS illegal_character : public exception
 {
 public:
-    illegal_character_error(char c);
+    illegal_character(char c);
 };
 
 /// <summary>
-/// Error for any data type inconsistencies.
+/// Exception for any data type inconsistencies.
 /// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS data_type_error : public error
+class XLNT_CLASS invalid_data_type : public exception
 {
 public:
-    data_type_error();
+    invalid_data_type();
 };
 
 /// <summary>
-/// Error for bad column names in A1-style cell references.
+/// Exception for bad column names in A1-style cell references.
 /// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS column_string_index_error : public error
+class XLNT_CLASS invalid_column_string_index : public exception
 {
 public:
-    column_string_index_error();
+    invalid_column_string_index();
 };
 
 /// <summary>
-/// Error for converting between numeric and A1-style cell references.
+/// Exception for converting between numeric and A1-style cell references.
 /// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS cell_coordinates_error : public error
+class XLNT_CLASS invalid_cell_reference : public exception
 {
 public:
-    cell_coordinates_error(column_t column, row_t row);
-    cell_coordinates_error(const std::string &coord_string);
+    invalid_cell_reference(column_t column, row_t row);
+    invalid_cell_reference(const std::string &reference_string);
 };
 
 /// <summary>
-/// Error when an attribute value is invalid.
+/// Exception when setting a class's attribute to an invalid value
 /// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS attribute_error : public error
+class XLNT_CLASS invalid_attribute : public exception
 {
 public:
-    attribute_error();
+    invalid_attribute();
 };
 
 /// <summary>
-/// key_error
+/// Exception for a key that doesn't exist in a container
 /// </summary>
-class XLNT_CLASS key_error : public error
+class XLNT_CLASS key_not_found : public exception
 {
 public:
-    key_error();
+    key_not_found();
+};
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Exception for a workbook with no visible worksheets
+/// </summary>
+class XLNT_CLASS no_visible_worksheets : public exception
+{
+public:
+    no_visible_worksheets();
 };
 
 } // namespace xlnt
diff --git a/source/cell/cell.cpp b/source/cell/cell.cpp
index be0385f8..5f5855a7 100644
--- a/source/cell/cell.cpp
+++ b/source/cell/cell.cpp
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ std::string cell::check_string(const std::string &to_check)
     {
         if (c >= 0 && (c <= 8 || c == 11 || c == 12 || (c >= 14 && c <= 31)))
         {
-            throw xlnt::illegal_character_error(c);
+            throw xlnt::illegal_character(c);
         }
     }
 
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ void cell::set_hyperlink(const std::string &hyperlink)
 {
     if (hyperlink.length() == 0 || std::find(hyperlink.begin(), hyperlink.end(), ':') == hyperlink.end())
     {
-        throw data_type_error();
+        throw invalid_data_type();
     }
 
     d_->has_hyperlink_ = true;
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ void cell::set_formula(const std::string &formula)
 {
     if (formula.length() == 0)
     {
-        throw data_type_error();
+        throw invalid_data_type();
     }
 
     if (formula[0] == '=')
@@ -494,7 +494,7 @@ std::string cell::get_formula() const
 {
     if (d_->formula_.empty())
     {
-        throw data_type_error();
+        throw invalid_data_type();
     }
 
     return d_->formula_;
@@ -509,7 +509,7 @@ void cell::set_comment(const xlnt::comment &c)
 {
     if (c.d_ != d_->comment_.get())
     {
-        throw xlnt::attribute_error();
+        throw xlnt::invalid_attribute();
     }
 
     if (!has_comment())
@@ -539,7 +539,7 @@ void cell::set_error(const std::string &error)
 {
     if (error.length() == 0 || error[0] != '#')
     {
-        throw data_type_error();
+        throw invalid_data_type();
     }
 
     d_->value_text_.set_plain_string(error);
diff --git a/source/cell/cell_reference.cpp b/source/cell/cell_reference.cpp
index 57f3e4d9..b1a9e619 100644
--- a/source/cell/cell_reference.cpp
+++ b/source/cell/cell_reference.cpp
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ cell_reference::cell_reference(column_t column_index, row_t row)
         || !(row_ <= constants::max_row())
         || !(column_ <= constants::max_column()))
     {
-        throw cell_coordinates_error(column_, row_);
+        throw invalid_cell_reference(column_, row_);
     }
 }
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ std::pair<std::string, row_t> cell_reference::split_reference(const std::string
             }
             else
             {
-                throw cell_coordinates_error(reference_string);
+                throw invalid_cell_reference(reference_string);
             }
         }
         else if (character == '$')
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ std::pair<std::string, row_t> cell_reference::split_reference(const std::string
             }
             else if (!std::isdigit(character, std::locale::classic()))
             {
-                throw cell_coordinates_error(reference_string);
+                throw invalid_cell_reference(reference_string);
             }
         }
     }
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ std::pair<std::string, row_t> cell_reference::split_reference(const std::string
 
     if (row_string.length() == 0)
     {
-        throw cell_coordinates_error(reference_string);
+        throw invalid_cell_reference(reference_string);
     }
 
     if (column_string[0] == '$')
diff --git a/source/cell/index_types.cpp b/source/cell/index_types.cpp
index 34a2c34c..1880c38c 100644
--- a/source/cell/index_types.cpp
+++ b/source/cell/index_types.cpp
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ column_t::index_t column_t::column_index_from_string(const std::string &column_s
 {
     if (column_string.length() > 3 || column_string.empty())
     {
-        throw column_string_index_error();
+        throw invalid_column_string_index();
     }
 
     column_t::index_t column_index = 0;
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ column_t::index_t column_t::column_index_from_string(const std::string &column_s
     {
         if (!std::isalpha(column_string[static_cast<std::size_t>(i)], std::locale::classic()))
         {
-            throw column_string_index_error();
+            throw invalid_column_string_index();
         }
 
         auto char_index = std::toupper(column_string[static_cast<std::size_t>(i)], std::locale::classic()) - 'A';
@@ -65,8 +65,7 @@ std::string column_t::column_string_from_index(column_t::index_t column_index)
     // columns
     if (column_index < constants::min_column() || column_index > constants::max_column())
     {
-        //        auto msg = "Column index out of bounds: " + std::to_string(column_index);
-        throw column_string_index_error();
+        throw invalid_column_string_index();
     }
 
     int temp = static_cast<int>(column_index);
diff --git a/source/cell/tests/test_cell.hpp b/source/cell/tests/test_cell.hpp
index e1813163..39c085d4 100644
--- a/source/cell/tests/test_cell.hpp
+++ b/source/cell/tests/test_cell.hpp
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ public:
         for(auto i : illegal_chrs)
         {
             std::string str(1, i);
-            TS_ASSERT_THROWS(cell.set_value(str), xlnt::illegal_character_error);
+            TS_ASSERT_THROWS(cell.set_value(str), xlnt::illegal_character);
         }
         
         cell.set_value(std::string(1, 33));
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ public:
         xlnt::comment comm(cell, "text", "author");
     
         auto c2 = ws.get_cell(xlnt::cell_reference(1, 2));
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(c2.set_comment(comm), xlnt::attribute_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(c2.set_comment(comm), xlnt::invalid_attribute);
     }
     
     void test_remove_comment()
@@ -632,8 +632,8 @@ public:
 
         TS_ASSERT_EQUALS((xlnt::cell_reference("A1"), xlnt::cell_reference("B2")), xlnt::range_reference("A1:B2"));
 
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::cell_reference("A1&"), xlnt::cell_coordinates_error);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::cell_reference("A"), xlnt::cell_coordinates_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::cell_reference("A1&"), xlnt::invalid_cell_reference);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::cell_reference("A"), xlnt::invalid_cell_reference);
 
         auto ref = xlnt::cell_reference("$B$7");
         TS_ASSERT(ref.row_absolute());
diff --git a/source/cell/tests/test_index_types.hpp b/source/cell/tests/test_index_types.hpp
index 91e0c651..dc217f95 100644
--- a/source/cell/tests/test_index_types.hpp
+++ b/source/cell/tests/test_index_types.hpp
@@ -10,14 +10,14 @@ class test_index_types : public CxxTest::TestSuite
 public:
     void test_bad_string()
     {
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::column_t::column_index_from_string(""), xlnt::column_string_index_error);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::column_t::column_index_from_string("ABCD"), xlnt::column_string_index_error);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::column_t::column_index_from_string("123"), xlnt::column_string_index_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::column_t::column_index_from_string(""), xlnt::invalid_column_string_index);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::column_t::column_index_from_string("ABCD"), xlnt::invalid_column_string_index);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::column_t::column_index_from_string("123"), xlnt::invalid_column_string_index);
     }
     
     void test_bad_column()
     {
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::column_t::column_string_from_index(0), xlnt::column_string_index_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::column_t::column_string_from_index(0), xlnt::invalid_column_string_index);
     }
 
     void test_column_operators()
diff --git a/source/detail/excel_serializer.cpp b/source/detail/excel_serializer.cpp
index 637ada01..6c03e18f 100644
--- a/source/detail/excel_serializer.cpp
+++ b/source/detail/excel_serializer.cpp
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ bool load_workbook(xlnt::zip_file &archive, bool guess_types, bool data_only, xl
 
     if(!archive.has_file(xlnt::constants::part_content_types()))
     {
-        throw xlnt::invalid_file_error("missing [Content Types].xml");
+        throw xlnt::invalid_file("missing [Content Types].xml");
     }
     
     xlnt::manifest_serializer ms(wb.get_manifest());
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ bool load_workbook(xlnt::zip_file &archive, bool guess_types, bool data_only, xl
 
     if (ms.determine_document_type() != "excel")
     {
-        throw xlnt::invalid_file_error("package is not an OOXML SpreadsheetML");
+        throw xlnt::invalid_file("package is not an OOXML SpreadsheetML");
     }
 
     if(archive.has_file(xlnt::constants::part_core()))
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ bool excel_serializer::load_workbook(const std::string &filename, bool guess_typ
     }
     catch (std::runtime_error)
     {
-        throw invalid_file_error(filename);
+        throw invalid_file(filename);
     }
 
     return ::load_workbook(archive_, guess_types, data_only, workbook_, get_stylesheet());
diff --git a/source/detail/workbook_impl.hpp b/source/detail/workbook_impl.hpp
index e94bbe8b..f048dde5 100644
--- a/source/detail/workbook_impl.hpp
+++ b/source/detail/workbook_impl.hpp
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ struct workbook_impl
           app_properties_(other.app_properties_),
           guess_types_(other.guess_types_),
           data_only_(other.data_only_),
-          read_only_(other.read_only_),
           stylesheet_(other.stylesheet_),
           manifest_(other.manifest_)
     {
@@ -76,7 +75,6 @@ struct workbook_impl
         app_properties_ = other.app_properties_;
         guess_types_ = other.guess_types_;
         data_only_ = other.data_only_;
-        read_only_ = other.read_only_;
         manifest_ = other.manifest_;
 
         return *this;
@@ -93,7 +91,6 @@ struct workbook_impl
 
     bool guess_types_;
     bool data_only_;
-    bool read_only_;
 
     stylesheet stylesheet_;
     
diff --git a/source/detail/workbook_serializer.cpp b/source/detail/workbook_serializer.cpp
index b3dee719..46a3dd20 100644
--- a/source/detail/workbook_serializer.cpp
+++ b/source/detail/workbook_serializer.cpp
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ void workbook_serializer::write_workbook(pugi::xml_document &xml) const
 
     if (num_visible == 0)
     {
-        throw xlnt::value_error();
+        throw xlnt::no_visible_worksheets();
     }
 
     auto root_node = xml.append_child("workbook");
diff --git a/source/utils/exceptions.cpp b/source/utils/exceptions.cpp
index af6b1426..50eea8cf 100644
--- a/source/utils/exceptions.cpp
+++ b/source/utils/exceptions.cpp
@@ -26,89 +26,75 @@
 
 namespace xlnt {
 
-error::error() : std::runtime_error("xlnt::error")
-{
-}
-
-error::error(const std::string &message)
+exception::exception(const std::string &message)
     : std::runtime_error("xlnt::error : " + message)
 {
     set_message(message);
 }
 
-void error::set_message(const std::string &message)
+void exception::set_message(const std::string &message)
 {
     message_ = message;
 }
 
-sheet_title_error::sheet_title_error(const std::string &title)
-    : error(std::string("bad worksheet title: ") + title)
+invalid_sheet_title::invalid_sheet_title(const std::string &title)
+    : exception(std::string("bad worksheet title: ") + title)
 {
 }
 
-column_string_index_error::column_string_index_error()
-    : error("column string index error")
+invalid_column_string_index::invalid_column_string_index()
+    : exception("column string index error")
 {
 }
 
-data_type_error::data_type_error()
-    : error("data type error")
+invalid_data_type::invalid_data_type()
+    : exception("data type error")
 {
 }
 
-named_range_error::named_range_error()
-    : error("named range not found or not owned by this worksheet")
+invalid_named_range::invalid_named_range()
+    : exception("named range not found or not owned by this worksheet")
 {
 }
 
-invalid_file_error::invalid_file_error(const std::string &filename)
-    : error(std::string("couldn't open file: (") + filename + ")")
+invalid_file::invalid_file(const std::string &filename)
+    : exception(std::string("couldn't open file: (") + filename + ")")
 {
 }
 
-cell_coordinates_error::cell_coordinates_error(column_t column, row_t row)
-    : error(std::string("bad cell coordinates: (") + std::to_string(column.index) + ", " + std::to_string(row) +
+invalid_cell_reference::invalid_cell_reference(column_t column, row_t row)
+    : exception(std::string("bad cell coordinates: (") + std::to_string(column.index) + ", " + std::to_string(row) +
                          ")")
 {
 }
 
-cell_coordinates_error::cell_coordinates_error(const std::string &coord_string)
-    : error(std::string("bad cell coordinates: (") + (coord_string.empty() ? "<empty>" : coord_string) + ")")
+invalid_cell_reference::invalid_cell_reference(const std::string &coord_string)
+    : exception(std::string("bad cell coordinates: (") + (coord_string.empty() ? "<empty>" : coord_string) + ")")
 {
 }
 
-illegal_character_error::illegal_character_error(char c)
-    : error(std::string("illegal character: (") + std::to_string(static_cast<unsigned char>(c)) + ")")
+illegal_character::illegal_character(char c)
+    : exception(std::string("illegal character: (") + std::to_string(static_cast<unsigned char>(c)) + ")")
 {
 }
 
-unicode_decode_error::unicode_decode_error()
-    : error("unicode decode error")
+invalid_parameter::invalid_parameter()
+    : exception("invalid parameter")
 {
 }
 
-unicode_decode_error::unicode_decode_error(char)
-    : error("unicode decode error")
+invalid_attribute::invalid_attribute()
+    : exception("bad attribute")
 {
 }
 
-value_error::value_error()
-    : error("value error")
+key_not_found::key_not_found()
+    : exception("key not found in container")
 {
 }
 
-read_only_workbook_error::read_only_workbook_error()
-    : error("workbook is read-only")
-{
-}
-
-attribute_error::attribute_error()
-    : error("bad attribute")
-{
-}
-
-key_error::key_error()
-    : error("key not found in container")
+no_visible_worksheets::no_visible_worksheets()
+    : exception("workbook needs at least one non-hidden worksheet to be saved")
 {
 }
 
diff --git a/source/workbook/named_range.cpp b/source/workbook/named_range.cpp
index bd220f8e..c2dcb536 100644
--- a/source/workbook/named_range.cpp
+++ b/source/workbook/named_range.cpp
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ std::vector<std::pair<std::string, std::string>> split_named_range(const std::st
         {
             xlnt::range_reference ref(split[1]);
         }
-        catch (xlnt::cell_coordinates_error)
+        catch (xlnt::invalid_cell_reference)
         {
             split[1] = "";
         }
diff --git a/source/workbook/tests/test_read.hpp b/source/workbook/tests/test_read.hpp
index 1f41e9a6..16d35c6b 100644
--- a/source/workbook/tests/test_read.hpp
+++ b/source/workbook/tests/test_read.hpp
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public:
         xlnt::workbook wb;
         xlnt::excel_serializer serializer(wb);
         
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(serializer.load_workbook(path), xlnt::invalid_file_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(serializer.load_workbook(path), xlnt::invalid_file);
     }
 
     void test_read_empty_archive()
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public:
         xlnt::workbook wb;
         xlnt::excel_serializer serializer(wb);
         
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(serializer.load_workbook(path), xlnt::invalid_file_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(serializer.load_workbook(path), xlnt::invalid_file);
     }
     
     void test_read_workbook_with_no_properties()
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ public:
         xlnt::workbook wb;
         xlnt::excel_serializer serializer(wb);
         
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(serializer.load_workbook(path), xlnt::invalid_file_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(serializer.load_workbook(path), xlnt::invalid_file);
     }
     
     void test_bad_formats_xls()
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@ public:
         xlnt::workbook wb;
         xlnt::excel_serializer serializer(wb);
         
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(serializer.load_workbook(path), xlnt::invalid_file_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(serializer.load_workbook(path), xlnt::invalid_file);
     }
     
     void test_bad_formats_no()
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ public:
         xlnt::workbook wb;
         xlnt::excel_serializer serializer(wb);
         
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(serializer.load_workbook(path), xlnt::invalid_file_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(serializer.load_workbook(path), xlnt::invalid_file);
     }
 
 
@@ -557,12 +557,12 @@ public:
     void test_determine_document_type()
     {
         xlnt::workbook wb;
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("1_empty.txt")), xlnt::invalid_file_error);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("2_not-empty.txt")), xlnt::invalid_file_error);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("3_empty.zip")), xlnt::invalid_file_error);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("4_not-package.zip")), xlnt::invalid_file_error);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("5_visio.vsdx")), xlnt::invalid_file_error);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("6_document.docx")), xlnt::invalid_file_error);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("7_presentation.pptx")), xlnt::invalid_file_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("1_empty.txt")), xlnt::invalid_file);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("2_not-empty.txt")), xlnt::invalid_file);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("3_empty.zip")), xlnt::invalid_file);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("4_not-package.zip")), xlnt::invalid_file);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("5_visio.vsdx")), xlnt::invalid_file);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("6_document.docx")), xlnt::invalid_file);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.load(path_helper::get_data_directory("7_presentation.pptx")), xlnt::invalid_file);
     }
 };
diff --git a/source/workbook/tests/test_workbook.hpp b/source/workbook/tests/test_workbook.hpp
index 7e98f606..72b99939 100644
--- a/source/workbook/tests/test_workbook.hpp
+++ b/source/workbook/tests/test_workbook.hpp
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public:
     {
         xlnt::workbook wb1, wb2;
         auto new_sheet = wb1.get_active_sheet();
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb2.copy_sheet(new_sheet), xlnt::value_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb2.copy_sheet(new_sheet), xlnt::invalid_parameter);
         TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb2.get_index(new_sheet), std::runtime_error);
     }
 
@@ -78,13 +78,6 @@ public:
         TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(wb.get_sheet_by_index(1).get_cell("B3").get_value<int>(), 2);
     }
     
-    void test_create_sheet_readonly()
-    {
-        xlnt::workbook wb;
-        wb.set_read_only(true);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.create_sheet(), xlnt::read_only_workbook_error);
-    }
-    
     void test_remove_sheet()
     {
         xlnt::workbook wb, wb2;
@@ -103,9 +96,9 @@ public:
         new_sheet.set_title(title);
         auto found_sheet = wb.get_sheet_by_name(title);
         TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(new_sheet, found_sheet);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.get_sheet_by_name("error"), xlnt::key_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb.get_sheet_by_name("error"), xlnt::key_not_found);
         const auto &wb_const = wb;
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb_const.get_sheet_by_name("error"), xlnt::key_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb_const.get_sheet_by_name("error"), xlnt::key_not_found);
     }
     
     void test_get_sheet_by_name_const()
@@ -123,7 +116,7 @@ public:
     {
         xlnt::workbook wb;
         TS_ASSERT_THROWS_NOTHING(wb["Sheet"]);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb["NotThere"], xlnt::key_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(wb["NotThere"], xlnt::key_not_found);
     }
     
     // void test_delitem() {} doesn't make sense in c++
diff --git a/source/workbook/tests/test_write_workbook.hpp b/source/workbook/tests/test_write_workbook.hpp
index 72282ce8..126e20ad 100644
--- a/source/workbook/tests/test_write_workbook.hpp
+++ b/source/workbook/tests/test_write_workbook.hpp
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ public:
         xlnt::workbook_serializer serializer(wb);
         
         pugi::xml_document xml;
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(serializer.write_workbook(xml), xlnt::value_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(serializer.write_workbook(xml), xlnt::no_visible_worksheets);
     }
     
     void test_write_empty_workbook()
diff --git a/source/workbook/workbook.cpp b/source/workbook/workbook.cpp
index 900a2331..3c5fb7db 100644
--- a/source/workbook/workbook.cpp
+++ b/source/workbook/workbook.cpp
@@ -62,8 +62,7 @@ namespace detail {
 workbook_impl::workbook_impl()
     : active_sheet_index_(0),
       guess_types_(false),
-      data_only_(false),
-      read_only_(false)
+      data_only_(false)
 {
 }
 
@@ -103,7 +102,7 @@ const worksheet workbook::get_sheet_by_name(const std::string &name) const
         }
     }
 
-    throw key_error();
+    throw key_not_found();
 }
 
 worksheet workbook::get_sheet_by_name(const std::string &name)
@@ -116,7 +115,7 @@ worksheet workbook::get_sheet_by_name(const std::string &name)
         }
     }
 
-    throw key_error();
+    throw key_not_found();
 }
 
 worksheet workbook::get_sheet_by_index(std::size_t index)
@@ -148,8 +147,6 @@ bool workbook::has_named_range(const std::string &name) const
 
 worksheet workbook::create_sheet()
 {
-    if(get_read_only()) throw xlnt::read_only_workbook_error();
-    
     std::string title = "Sheet";
     int index = 0;
 
@@ -174,7 +171,7 @@ worksheet workbook::create_sheet()
 
 void workbook::copy_sheet(xlnt::worksheet worksheet)
 {
-    if(worksheet.d_->parent_ != this) throw xlnt::value_error();
+    if(worksheet.d_->parent_ != this) throw xlnt::invalid_parameter();
 
     xlnt::detail::worksheet_impl impl(*worksheet.d_);
     auto new_sheet = create_sheet();
@@ -358,14 +355,14 @@ worksheet workbook::create_sheet(const std::string &title)
 {
     if (title.length() > 31)
     {
-        throw sheet_title_error(title);
+        throw invalid_sheet_title(title);
     }
 
     if (std::find_if(title.begin(), title.end(), [](char c) {
             return c == '*' || c == ':' || c == '/' || c == '\\' || c == '?' || c == '[' || c == ']';
         }) != title.end())
     {
-        throw sheet_title_error(title);
+        throw invalid_sheet_title(title);
     }
 
     std::string unique_title = title;
@@ -565,16 +562,6 @@ void workbook::set_data_only(bool data_only)
     d_->data_only_ = data_only;
 }
 
-bool workbook::get_read_only() const
-{
-    return d_->read_only_;
-}
-
-void workbook::set_read_only(bool read_only)
-{
-    d_->read_only_ = read_only;
-}
-
 void workbook::set_code_name(const std::string & /*code_name*/)
 {
 }
diff --git a/source/worksheet/tests/test_worksheet.hpp b/source/worksheet/tests/test_worksheet.hpp
index 7a8ce47a..ee4b2dc3 100644
--- a/source/worksheet/tests/test_worksheet.hpp
+++ b/source/worksheet/tests/test_worksheet.hpp
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ public:
     {
         xlnt::workbook wb;
         xlnt::worksheet ws(wb);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::cell_reference invalid(xlnt::column_t((xlnt::column_t::index_t)0), 0), xlnt::cell_coordinates_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(xlnt::cell_reference invalid(xlnt::column_t((xlnt::column_t::index_t)0), 0), xlnt::invalid_cell_reference);
     }
     
     void test_worksheet_dimension()
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ public:
     {
         xlnt::workbook wb;
         xlnt::worksheet ws(wb);
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(ws.get_named_range("bad_range"), xlnt::key_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(ws.get_named_range("bad_range"), xlnt::key_not_found);
     }
     
     void test_get_named_range_wrong_sheet()
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ public:
         auto ws1 = wb[0];
         auto ws2 = wb[1];
         wb.create_named_range("wrong_sheet_range", ws1, "C5");
-        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(ws2.get_named_range("wrong_sheet_range"), xlnt::named_range_error);
+        TS_ASSERT_THROWS(ws2.get_named_range("wrong_sheet_range"), xlnt::key_not_found);
     }
     
     void test_remove_named_range_bad()
diff --git a/source/worksheet/worksheet.cpp b/source/worksheet/worksheet.cpp
index 498cbdc6..af501732 100644
--- a/source/worksheet/worksheet.cpp
+++ b/source/worksheet/worksheet.cpp
@@ -104,9 +104,9 @@ void worksheet::create_named_range(const std::string &name, const range_referenc
         }
         
     }
-    catch(xlnt::error)
+    catch(xlnt::exception)
     {
-        // not a valid cell reference
+        // must not be a valid cell reference
     }
     
 
@@ -350,12 +350,12 @@ range worksheet::get_named_range(const std::string &name)
 {
     if (!get_workbook().has_named_range(name))
     {
-        throw key_error();
+        throw key_not_found();
     }
     
     if (!has_named_range(name))
     {
-        throw named_range_error();
+        throw key_not_found();
     }
 
     return get_range(d_->named_ranges_[name].get_targets()[0].second);