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Word Opening In View Mode Only

Anonymous
2022-09-13T19:47:59+00:00

Starting today any Word file that is not saved on my computer will only open in the View only mode even when I select the enable editing button. If I open a file that I have previously worked on it is fine. I get the box in the upper right hand corner that states I am viewing and cannot make any changes. If I click the enable editing file it still states that I do not have permission to edit the file. Why causes this to just start happening and why is it that it does not affect files that I saved preciously? If I do a save as of the file, I then get the option that I can only make comments, but again, cannot edit the file.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-09-26T18:46:35+00:00

    This was really annoying. Today I solved this problem by

    opening file explorer

    right clicking on the folder in the view to the left side

    Noticing a box that said read only

    unchecking it

    answering yes when asked if I wanted it applied to all folders

    Sorry if this isn't written the best. I am not a tech expert. I was just super annoyed by the lack of information about this bug

    20+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2022-09-14T21:07:43+00:00

    Hello Harriett,

    I see that you are having issues with your Word files being in the View Only mode. There is a chance that your documents are only viewable in the Protected View mode. Please follow the steps below, as referenced in the article here (Enable editing in your document (microsoft.com)).

    1. Open the Word app.
    2. Go to File > Info.
    3. Select Protect Document.
    4. Select Enable Editing.

    If this is not successful, would you please let me know which version of Office you are using?

    (Open any Office application and select File > Account
    The Office version is under Product Information.)

    20+ people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Stefan Blom 339.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-09-13T19:59:25+00:00

    After you have downloaded the document, right-click its icon and choose Properties. In the Properties window, click Unblock and then click Apply. This should make the document editable when you open it in Word.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Stefan Blom 339.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-09-21T19:31:17+00:00

    This is a new design and the only way to get rid of it would be to revert to an older version. For a "complete" discussion, see https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/how-to-turn-off-the-reviewing-editing-and-view/6311419c-3960-4cda-b4af-83b5a7475e12.

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2022-09-21T17:32:40+00:00

    We are having the same problem, which just started occurring the last week or so. Previously, even if the document was read-only, Word allowed editing but would require a Save As. Now, editing isn't allowed at all. What changed, and how do we get the functionality back?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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