Unprotect forms

Question

I have a form (which I created) that has fill-in check boxes. This was created in a previous version of Word. I now need to add some text to that form so I went to Tools to unprotect the form. However, it says it is not protected. I've also checked permissions, and everyone has read/write permission. I am on version 15.25. Can someone help?

Answer 1

Perhaps you're simply being deceived by a change in how the menu now works... In prior versions Protect Document contextually changed to Unprotect Document if Protection was active in the document. Word 2016 doesn't work that way - Protect Document is persistent.

In order to deactivate Protection either:

• Select Tools> Protect Document, then clear the check on Protect document for, or
• Click the Protect Form button on the Developer tab of the Ribbon.

Answer 2

Jim, thank you for the response. Unfortunately, that did not work.

Answer 3

Try File > Convert Document to convert the file to the current file format from the obsolete .doc format.

Answer 4

Bob, thank you for your response!

The form was created in Office for Mac 2011. [Compatibility Mode] is in the title bar. The document is a simple checklist that I created as a form to fill-in. I want to add some text, but when I go to Tools, instead of their being an active option to "Unprotect Document," the only active option is to "Protect Document." What other information could I supply for you?

Answer 5

The missing piece to the puzzle very well may be which "previous version of Word"?

Was it a Windows version by any chance? If so, depending on a number of variables you may not be able to edit it with Mac Word.

If it was created in a prior version of Mac Word, what is it that specifically prevents you from editing the document? Does [Read-Only] appear in the title bar? Is [Compatibility Mode] displayed there?

What additional details can you provide about the origin & the current situation?