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How do I Unlock a file in Microsoft Word

William Thompson 1 Reputation point
2023-03-01T20:30:15.04+00:00

I just purchased Microsoft Word.  Before I get into the steps I have taken so far, I will cut the the proverbial chase.  The first file I have opened in the newly purchased Microsoft Word is locked and I can not edit it.

I had created the file with Open Office.  Could that be the issue shomehow?

When I opend the file in Microsoft Word and I tried to add text to the file, an error message came across the bottom of the window in an area that I assume is the status bar that read, "You cant make this change because this selection is locked".

Please help.

Word
Word
A family of Microsoft word processing software products for creating web, email, and print documents.
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  1. Charles Kenyon 2,671 Reputation points
    2023-03-02T04:05:45.2466667+00:00

    please read the answers in your cross-post on the Answers forum.

    For cross-posting etiquette, please read:  a Message to  Forum Cross-Posters
    http://www.excelguru.ca/content.php?184

    Please post here and in each of your posts a link to all of the other cross-posts. I've done it in three forums but it is your job.

    Failure to do so could lead to your being banned.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Emi Zhang-MSFT 22,951 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2023-03-02T09:06:10.92+00:00

    Hi @William Thompson,

    Did you have other Office application in the same PC?

    Where did you save the file? In local desktop or a shared folder?

    As you said the file is created with Open Office, I suggest you try to check if the content control is grouped. You can go to Developer- Group- Ungroup.

    Image

    I suggest you go to File- Protect Document and check if the document is Marked as Final. You can unmark it.

    Just checking in to see if the information was helpful. Please let us know if you would like further assistance.

    If the response is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

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