Save a pasworded Word document to a newname w/o the password 2

[papadba]

We have several "common use" documents that are password protected so that the "master" is not modified. When one has the document open as read only, a copy may be saved locally, but when this is opened later, it still has the original (and unpublished) password.

How can the copy be saved without password protection or how can the password be removed from the copy.

I probably should have spent more time looking at the MS help, but i was in another part of these forums and TaDaa here i am. . .

Thanks.

 

[fumei]

If a password can be got around so easily as you seem to want, what would be the point of a password?

Gerry

Och ammmmm, I think I need a shave.
- hirsute Scot, trying to decide

 

[papadba]

Suggest more attention be paid to the question. . .

There is no "getting arouond". The pasword protected document can be opened, modified, and otherwise used. A copy can be saved under some other name.

Unfortunately, the completely unrelated copy is saved with the password of the "master". If i'm the owner of my copy in my directory, there should be some easy way to not be burdened by some other (or any) password.

Or asked differently, if the password is there to prevent modification/destruction of the "master" (it does not prevent seeing the content) why does the copy carry along the password from the original?

Surely does not seem much like a feature. . .

 

[fumei]

Suggest more attention be paid to the question. . ."

Perhaps more attention could be paid to your description of the situation.

How - precisely - is this protected?

Protected for forms (which does not allow modification, but does allow completion of formfields)? Probably not, as you state that it can be modified.

Set as Read-only? Well yes you can do this. However, using only read-only gives a dialog when it is opened, and you can choose to open it fully. Click No and you get fully accessible document. Yes, if saved (with SaveAs) the copy retains the read-only attribute.

Is this your situation. I assume it is not a password protection for opening, as you did nto state this.

If it is just a read-only setting, then you can completely get around it (I know you state it is not a getting around...but sorry, it IS a getting around) very easily.

On the read-only dialog, click no.
Yoy get a full document.
Tools > Options > Security and unclick the read-only checkbox.

Done. The file you SaveAs will not be read-only.

"How can the copy be saved without password protection or how can the password be removed from the copy. "

If the situation is as above (set as read-only), then you are mistaken. There is no password. Read-only is not password protected.

If it IS password protected, state how this is. When you do see a request for a password? or....do you? Who knows?

Lastly, there is an option for a password on modifications. In which case, you get the dialog asking for the password OR open it read-only. If you select read-only, you can modify and yes, save it (with SaveAs) a copy. And yes, that "copy" will indeed have the same password modification attribute.

And my previous answer remains the same.

If a password can be got around so easily as you seem to want, what would be the point of a password?

The password is attached to the document (NOT the file). So it remains with the document even if you do a SaveAs (make a copy). You can not remove it. Not can you save it the document without it. You are perfectly entitled to make and more modified copies though...

Gerry

Och ammmmm, I think I need a shave.
- hirsute Scot, trying to decide

 

[mintjulep]

It largely seems that you are interested in preventing inadvertent alteration rather than real security.

There are a few options then.

Save your "master" as a template (.dot) file, rather than a document (.doc) file.

Set the file's attributes as "read only" at the file system level, not within the application.

Locate the file in a network directory where users are only allowed "read only" access.

 

[fumei]

Good advice all.

If a template (.dot) is cloned, the original will never be altered.

If the template itself is read-only (from OS file system Permissions - not Word), this adds a further level of security of the original.

Gerry

Och ammmmm, I think I need a shave.
- hirsute Scot, trying to decide

 

[papadba]

Bad day at the technical discussion. . . More misunderstanding that understanding. . . Bummer. . .

It largely seems that you are interested in preventing inadvertent alteration rather than real security.

Not only not largely, but not at all. . . The original "master" has the password specified. I want to save a copy that is "vanilla". . .

On the read-only dialog, click no.Yoy get a full document.Tools > Options > Security and unclick the read-only checkbox.Done. The file you SaveAs will not be read-only.

This sounds like a "fit", but on the system i looked at (trying to help one of my users) i saw no Tools on the screen. Had her click on all of the "menu" choices and no Tools appeared. . . Where am i going wrong?

If it IS password protected, state how this is. When you do see a request for a password? or....do you? Who knows?

If calling this "password protected" is a misnomer, my bad - i'm from a very old school where something that requires a "password" is password protected. The request for a password is in a little popup(?) that says to enter the password, open the file read-only, or cancel (iirc).

For the rest of this day and part of tomorrow, i'll not have MS Word available (or any part of MS Office). Hard to believe, eh? but it means i won't be able to run a test until then.

If it is just a read-only setting, then you can completely get around it (I know you state it is not a getting around...but sorry, it IS a getting around) very easily.

Opinions vary. . . If i wanted to hack the password so i could update "the master", that would be "getting around". I really don't believe that wanting to save "my" copy of the file should take any action to undo anything. If i want to protect this, i can do so, but i am very unlikely to want the same (unknown) password from the original in my new copy of the document.


Possibly, i'm way off

Be well.

 

[mintjulep]

documents that are password protected so that the "master" is not modified.

Is this the only reason that there is a password, or are there other secret reasons that you haven't told us about yet?

As you have found out, if you save a copy of a password protected document then the copy is password protected. That's the way it is.

You seem fixated on MS Word's native internal password features. If, as you initially wrote, your goal is "that the "master" is not modified" then you have been presented with options to achieve that goal that do not rely on Word's passwords.

 

[mintjulep]

if the password is there to prevent modification/destruction of the "master" (it does not prevent seeing the content) why does the copy carry along the password from the original?

The password doesn't know why it's there. Preventing alteration of the "master" is your use of a feature that was not designed exclusively for your use.

 

[TonyJollans]

Clearly a template should be being used here. If you really can't bring yourself to use a template, you could at least use the "new from existing document" feature. That said ...

Behaviour with "password to modify" differs by version. In Word 2003, a saved copy will - by default - also have the password to modify, but you can remove it without knowing what it was (and this could be done in a macro). In Word 2007, a saved copy will NOT have a password to modify.

Enjoy,
Tony

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[papadba]

The password doesn't know why it's there. Preventing alteration of the "master" is your use of a feature that was not designed exclusively for your use.

Is this the only reason that there is a password, or are there other secret reasons that you haven't told us about yet?

One more time. . .

I/we have neither want nor need of a password. I/we have no use for it in any way. It happens that the document already has this. One of the people i support (various database applications - not MS Office support) asked about saving a new copy of the document and having her local copy saved without the password. Foolishly, i said i'd look at it with her. . .

Clearly a template should be being used here. If you really can't bring yourself to use a template, you could at least use the "new from existing document" feature.

I don't understand why she should use a template? All she wants to do is save the document in such a way that when she re-opens it, it does not ask for anything - it would just open.

In Word 2007, a saved copy will NOT have a password to modify.

When this document is saved in Word 2007, it retains the password. . .

From earlier - Any thoughts on why the "Tools" were not visable?

In a few hours, i'll be back to where i can actually run a test if someone has a suggestion. Thx.

 

[mintjulep]

Your story changes with each post.

You've been give several apparently viable options - albeit they are all options to solve what we must guess is your real problem, since you are unable to clearly state what your actual problem is.

Good luck!

 

[fisheromacse]

I agree that a the original protected document should be replaced with a template.
From the thread so far, it seems that is the feature that you are really needing to implement and also using the file system permissions if additional restrictions are needed.
However the password got put on the original document, was most likely done with an incomplete understanding of the feature.


Anyway, in Word2007, under the "Review" tab is 'Protect Document' It has been some time since i used this feature, as i have found it helpful in very few purposes.

When you choose Save As, there is a tools in the lower left of the dialog, but i do not think this is what you are looking for.

 

[papadba]

Your story changes with each post.

No - it does not. . . What does change each time thru is the misunderstanding of what has been asked.

If one can work with English, the problem (repeated now again) is that a document was originally saved with this "password" (possibly an incorrect term as someone mentioned earlier). Someone other than the creator of the document/password wants to save a copy that has no password of any kind associated. They have been unable to do so.

There is no need for a template. There is no desire to change "the way it was originally built". There is no issue with "file system permissions" or any other secutiry alternative. . . All she wants to do is save the document with no "security".

This from fumei

On the read-only dialog, click no.
Yoy get a full document.
Tools > Options > Security and unclick the read-only checkbox.

looks like what we need, but the "read-only dialog" does not present "no". The choices are "Read Only", "OK" (requires the password), and Cancel. Again, this is being done in Word 2007.


Thanks again.

 

[fumei]

Click the OK.

Gerry

Och ammmmm, I think I need a shave.
- hirsute Scot, trying to decide

 

[papadba]

Hi Gerry,

Did that. . .

The response from Word is "The password is incorrect" and it gives me the opportunity to get more help. When the help is accessed it shows:

This error can appear if you try to open a password-protected Word document and you do not provide the correct password.

Passwords prevent unauthorized access to documents. A password-protected document can only be opened if the correct password is supplied. If you forget or lose the password, you cannot open the document.

NOTE: Passwords are case sensitive. Before entering a password, verify that the CAPS LOCK keyboard option is not turned on. If you are using a multi-lingual enabled computer, make sure that the language that was used to create the password is enabled when you enter the password.

Suggestions?

 

[fisheromacse]

you say "All she wants to do is save the document with no "security", but with the feature being used as it is meant to be used. With the document protection on, unless your user can copy/paste the contents into a new document, you cannot achieve your goal without the user entering the password and clicking OK &/or changing your approach.

 

[fumei]

OK, maybe it is protected for opening. My suggestions was the situation it is protecte for modification.

If it is protected for opening...no, never mind. You would not get the read-only option.

What version again?

"Someone other than the creator of the document/password wants to save a copy that has no password of any kind associated. They have been unable to do so."

Know what? I am very inclined to say too darn bad what someone else wants. They do not own the document, nor do you it seems. Well...tough. Someone else does, and they applied security (such as it is). If this is a problem find the real owner and get them to remove the password.

"There is no need for a template. There is no desire to change "the way it was originally built". There is no issue with "file system permissions" or any other secutiry alternative. . . All she wants to do is save the document with no "security"."

Sorry, but I do not buy that at all.

1. IMO, every single document used by a "user" should come from a template. Period.

2. There most certainly IS a desire to change the way it was originally built. You want to be able to save a copy with no security. I can't think of something MORE different. It was originally built with security to NOT be able to do this. You want to be able to do this...that sure sounds like a "change" to me.

Gerry

Och ammmmm, I think I need a shave.
- hirsute Scot, trying to decide

 

[TonyJollans]

I stand corrected - the difference is not between Word 2003 and Word 2007, rather it is between Word 2003-format (.doc) files and Word 2007-format (.docx/.docm) files.

Regardless of that it can be removed before saving without knowing what it was, so what is the problem that you are having?

Enjoy,
Tony

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[papadba]

Hi Tony,

I stand corrected - the difference is not between Word 2003 and Word 2007, rather it is between Word 2003-format (.doc) files and Word 2007-format (.docx/.docm) files.Regardless of that it can be removed before saving without knowing what it was, so what is the problem that you are having?

The curret problem is that i haven't found how to "remove before saving".


Hi Gerry,

What version again?

Office 2007

1. IMO, every single document used by a "user" should come from a template. Period.
2. There most certainly IS a desire to change the way it was originally built. You want to be able to save a copy with no security. I can't think of something MORE different. It was originally built with security to NOT be able to do this. You want to be able to do this...that sure sounds like a "change" to me.

1. For things requiring some standard format, sure.
2. Sorry, but only reason for the password was to prevent accidental modification.

@All - is it possible that what i want to do is so simple that nearly everyone knows how and this has "elevated" the complexity level - because "he can't be asking how to do that?

I may be back onsite sometime Sunday and can try any suggestions. Have a great weekend!