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Word Online only opens documents in "Read Only" mode

Anonymous
2021-01-09T12:21:02+00:00

I used Office Online with Word for years, but sometime this past year it began opening all documents in Read only, with no explanation. Doesn't matter what kind of file, doesn't matter if I get the file from my computer or OneDrive, doesn't matter if it's a new doc or an old one, doesn't matter if I'm on my Windows 10 PC, or my Chromebook. EVERYTHING opens with read only and with the statement that "To edit and save, a Microsoft 365 subscription is required." 

What changed? Does anyone have any hints or clues?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Stefan Blom 341K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2021-01-10T13:38:41+00:00

The screen size limit for editing using the Office mobile apps is 10.1" (as I wrote in an earlier reply). With larger screens, a subscription is required.

However, you should certainly be able to use your web browser to access https://onedrive.live.com without paying for a subscription. I don't know why it isn't working for you. Try asking in the OneDrive forum at https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/msoffice_drive?sort=LastReplyDate&dir=Desc&tab=All.

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-01-10T11:06:35+00:00

    You may be right about that, but I've never seen any mention of it in the literature, and the two MS Tech people I've worked with on it did not seem to be aware of that limitation. Do you know where I might find an official discussion about size of screen and usability of the free version?

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-01-10T11:03:22+00:00

    I would assume that the previous free version is no longer supported - But I don't specifically know.

    I do know that on a Tablet (not win device) or mobile you can obtain the office components if you have a 365 sub

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-and-set-up-office-on-an-android-cafe9d6f-8b0c-4b03-b20a-12438a82a22d

    To your first suggestion, you may be right (that they just stopped supporting a free version), and I was able to use the free Word Online for a long time before it mysteriously stopped working. But I haven't seen any notice about that anywhere in the ads for it ("Don't use this free version because it's no longer supported"). And neither one of the two MS Tech support people with whom I've spoken have said that. 

    On your second idea, that I can always run the free version if I have a subscription to the paid version, that is , in fact, what the pop up is saying, that I must get the paid version before I can edit a document with the free version. That seems like an odd thing to do on its face, and, again, none of the literature about it says that.

    Thanks for trying, though.

    Has anyone else but me ever had this problem?

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  3. Stefan Blom 341K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2021-01-10T10:48:45+00:00

    Editing on a mobile device is free with small screen sizes (I believe the limit is 10.1"). For anything larger you'll need a subscription. 

    As Palcouk indicated, even with a subscription you won't get access to the all of the functionality which is supported when you install Office on a Mac or Windows computer.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-01-10T10:39:55+00:00

    I would assume that the previous free version is no longer supported - But I don't specifically know.

    I do know that on a Tablet (not win device) or mobile you can obtain the office components if you have a 365 sub

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-and-set-up-office-on-an-android-cafe9d6f-8b0c-4b03-b20a-12438a82a22d

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