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remove excel read only protection

Anonymous
2020-01-15T15:08:48+00:00

Protected  an excel workbook read only.  How can I remove the  read only?  Can take a password off, but can't get rid of the read-only.

Thanks.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2020-01-15T19:18:44+00:00

Hi Edie L,

You can set password to modify the workbook, or users can open them as read only. To do so, open the workbook, click File>Save As, choose more option as you can see in screenshot.

 

Then choose Tools>General Options, set password to modify for the workbook**,**and check read only recommended box. Click saveto save the workbook.

 

Users will get a prompt to enter password to modify the workbook, if they don’t have password, they can also open them as read only.

 

Hope these can help you.

Regards,

Clark

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-01-15T18:58:51+00:00

    Thank you.  I was finally able to get the read-only off the workbook.

    What I was trying to accomplish is setting it up as 'enter password or open as read only'. 

    I want people to be able to view the workbook, but not make any changes.

    Can you help with this.

    Thanks again.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-01-16T11:47:28+00:00

    Clark,

    That is a well hidden gem.  Because I am not an expert on Excel, I never would have found those instructions without your assistance.  I even used the "Help" button and did not find that information .  It work perfectly, just as you described.  Thank you very much. 

    Edie L.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-01-15T17:30:13+00:00

    Hi Edie L,

    I go through the post, there are different options to protect Excel data. As you can see in this article: Protection and security in Excel. As protect workbook under Review tab in excel lock the workbook structure, I think you may set File encryption for the workbook. Please go to **File>Info,**Click protect workbook, uncheck “Always open as read only”.

    Besides, right click Shortcut of the read-only workbook,****choose properties to see if you check **** the read only box here.

    There are other reasons why workbook open as read-only, as you can see in this article: Why did my file open read-only?

    If information above doesn’t help you out, could you please share information below with us for further troubleshooting?

    1.       Could you please give us a screenshot when you see read-only prompt?

    2.       What is your office version? please check it in File>Account.

    3.       How did you protect the workbook, could you please share some steps on that?

    Regards,

    Clark

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