Files keep saving as read only.

Question

Files are saving as read only. Under protections, I don't have anything checked but it keeps saving it as read only.

Answer 1

Workbook protection is only one possible cause; first check the Windows file attribute, then follow the branch matching where the workbook is stored or what Excel displays.

1. Check the Windows file attribute

1. Close the workbook in Excel.
2. In File Explorer, right-click the file and select Properties.
3. On the General tab, clear Read-only if selected.
4. Select Apply → OK, reopen the file, edit a cell, and save it.

This setting is separate from Review → Protect Sheet/Workbook in Excel. ^1^

2. Check the message Excel shows

• A yellow or red Protected View banner: If the file came from email, the internet, or another potentially unsafe location, Excel may intentionally open it in Protected View. For a file you trust, select Enable Editing in the banner. Do not disable Protected View globally merely to fix one workbook. ^1^
• “Unlicensed Product” or an activation error: In Excel, open File → Account, sign in with the Microsoft account that owns the Microsoft 365 subscription, and confirm Office shows as activated. An inactive or expired product can restrict editing. ^1^
• “Locked for editing” or “Viewing”: Close the workbook on every device where it may be open, wait a few minutes for the server lock to clear, and reopen it. If another person owns the lock, ask them to close the workbook. If Excel shows Viewing, select it and choose Request more access → Ask to edit. ^2^

3. If the file is in OneDrive, SharePoint, or a shared folder

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows notification area.
2. Confirm syncing is not paused and no sync error appears.
3. If OneDrive storage is full, select Manage storage and free enough space to save.
4. If the workbook is shared, have everyone close it, then reopen it from the same OneDrive or SharePoint location rather than through a mapped network drive.
5. For simultaneous editing, use Excel for Microsoft 365 or Excel for the web and save the workbook as .xlsx, .xlsm, or .xlsb. Local folders, server paths, and some third-party cloud locations do not support Excel co-authoring. ^1^ ^2^

As a quick isolation test, use File → Save As and save a copy in a local folder such as Documents:

• If the local copy saves normally, the original location’s permissions, sync status, or edit lock is the likely area to address.
• If the local copy is also read-only, continue below.

4. If every Excel file is affected

Check whether antivirus software is forcing Office files to open read-only. Review its Office/document protection settings or contact the antivirus vendor before adding exclusions. ^1^

Then use Microsoft’s general recovery sequence:

1. Restart Windows.
2. Install Office updates.
3. Run an Online Repair of Office.
4. Reopen Excel and test a new local workbook. ^1^

The key detail needed to narrow this further is whether the issue affects one workbook or every workbook, where the files are stored, and the exact read-only or activation message Excel displays.

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References

1. Why did my file open read-only? | Microsoft Support
2. Excel file is locked for editing | Microsoft Support