How to password protect Excel workbook so users can open read only?

Question

I am using Excel 2013 on Windows 11 and am struggling to find a way to password protect my excel workbooks in such a way that other users can still open them as read only. I know this is possible because I have come across other workbooks that are set up this way, but I cannot find anything that describes how to do this. Every forum post and Microsoft solution I have seen just describes how to fully password protect the workbook so no one can open it without the password, but this is not what I want.

File --> Info --> Protect Workbook only shows me the following options:

• Mark as final
• Encrypt with password (this has no read only option)
• Protect current sheet / workbook structure
• Restrict access
• Add a digital signature

Nowhere can I find a password with read only option. Am I missing features in my version of Excel or am I not looking in the right place?

Thank you in advance

Answer 1

File \ Save As

Tools \ General Options

Specify a password for modify and check read-only

Ok

Re-enter the password

Save the file

If you open the file you'll get this message

So you can enter the password and edit the file as usual or simply click "Read Only" to open the file in write protect mode.

Andreas.