Cannot modify a document provided by someone else

Question

I have been provided a template document. It is clearly meant to be a style guide as it displays lots of pre-established styles (a sample below).

However, when you select some text, the font menu in the ribbon does display the font highlighted, but simply shows Calibri, but it is grayed out and not adjustable. Also, for instance, when I create a table, I cannot change the vertical alignment of the content of a table field, and many other adjustments that I might like to make are not available to me.

I assume this document was created on a PC. I am on a Mac. How can I really get into this document and tweak things that are not exactly to the style.

Answer 1

Hi

I think Stefan Bloom is probably correct. The document has protection applied and you would need to have the password to apply direct formatting to override the current style.

You might be able to modify the style by using the Menu Bar and choosing Format > Style and then modify the style using the Format Styles dialog. Doing so will replace the style settings for the entire document, not just for one instance where the style was applied. Again, it depends on whether editing restrictions were imposed by the document's author.

Answer 2

When you have received a private message, sign in to your account and go to the Private Messages section. You should see a text field where you can type a response, a paperclip icon for inserting a file, and a Reply button at the bottom of the page.

Answer 3

I can open your private message, but I don't see how to respond in private or include a document in private.

Answer 4

The document could be protected from editing (see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/protect-a-document-with-a-password-05084cc3-300d-4c1a-8416-38d3e37d6826#ID0EBBF=macOS_-_newer).

Answer 5

Dear Stuart Silberman,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

As per your description, I need to check the document to check your behaviour, if you don’t mind and if it is convenient for you, could you please send copy of your document file to me so that I can look from my side, and I will check this behavior and help you to fix and verify the result with you.

If there is confidential information, then you can send it to me in Private Message (PM). you can access PM from the top right corner of this page, as shown in image below:

Your understanding and patience will be highly appreciated. I hope that you are keeping safe and well!

Sincerely, 

Waqas Muhammad