How to make Word file read-only

[emcc]

I have a Word file (Office 2000) for distribution to customers. How do I make this a read-only file? I have gone to the properties of the file and under Attributes checked read-only. But, when I try opening the file it asks me if I want to open it as a read-only or not and if I choose "No" it allows me to make changes. Is there another setting to accomplish this?

 

[VulcanJedi]

Just suggesting alternatives?
Password protecttion?
Print/Save as a PDF instead? Tranpkp
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[Wray69]

Go to File --> Save AS --> Tools --> General Options and you can set it to read only there

 

[emcc]

To Wray69 -
That is where I have set it to read only. There must be another setting because when I open the file I get the following message....


....file should be opened as read-only unless changes to it need to be saved. Open as read-only? Yes/No/Cancel

If I choose No, it opens the file and allows me to make changes and save them.

 

[confusedlady]

emcc,
This probably isn't the best way, but I ran into the same situation a few months ago, and it's how I got around it. I couldn't find a way to do it w/in Word-you're absolutely correct in saying that setting doesn't work. It just "recommends" the user open it read-only.

What I did was go into Explorer after I created a bunch of docs and modified the properties of each file. The properties dialog has a read-only check box. That seemed to work. confusedlady

 

[Wray69]

Try going to Tools ---> Protect Document ---> Comments, see if this will do what you are wanting.

Hope this helps,
Wray

 

[emcc]

Okay...by going to Tools, Protect Document and taking the default, Track Changes, any changes made to the original document show up in a different color font and when saved and reopened, show up in another color. Not exactly what I wanted but this will work.

By the way, I did try setting, Read Only, by going to Explore, etc. I think this is the same Read Only setting, just arrived at in a different way!

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[confusedlady]

emcc,
If you open the doc up in Word after you changed the properties, it will say filename (read-only) at the top, and it can't be saved. A message comes up telling the user it's read-only. confusedlady

 

[notsovilefriend]

emcc, tpt202 has the same sort of problem. I suggested:
Have you thought to look under Tools->Options->Security?
Two levels of security! 1 password just to open the file and 1 to open and Modify!
Require a password to open or modify a file
When you create a password, write it down and keep it in a secure place. If you lose the password, you cannot open or gain access to the password-protected document.
1. Open the file.
2. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click Security.
3. Do one of the following:
Create a password to open
1. In the Password to open box, type a password, and then click OK.
2. In the Reenter password to open box, type the password again, and then click OK.
Create a password to modify
3. In the Password to modify box, type a password, and then click OK.
4. In the Reenter password to modify box, type the password again, and then click OK.
Best Regards,
Your VileFriend
Martin Richecoeur

 

[confusedlady]

emcc,
I may have misunderstood what you wanted to accomplish, so if protecting a file from unwanted updates is what you wish to do, the password suggesstion from Vilefriend is definitely (IMHO) the better way to go about it. confusedlady