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Kate1212's avatar
Kate1212
Copper Contributor
Dec 06, 2023

removing read only from excel

Somehow my document is now read only.  how do i remove that to be able to save changes.

excel
  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor
    Dec 07, 2023

    Kate1212 

    If your Excel document is showing as "Read-Only" and you want to remove this restriction to save changes, you can try the following steps:

    1. Check for Other Users:
      • Make sure that no other users have the document open. If someone else is using it, you might be limited to read-only access until they close it.
    2. Save As a New File:
      • Save the document with a new name or in a different location. This sometimes helps if the original file is marked as read-only.
    3. File Properties:
      • Right-click on the Excel file and select "Properties."
      • In the "General" tab, check if the "Read-only" attribute is checked. If it is, uncheck it and click "OK."
    4. Security Settings:
      • If the document is on a network location, it's possible that there are security settings restricting your access. Check with your network administrator.
    5. Windows Explorer:
      • Close Excel and go to the location where the file is saved using Windows Explorer.
      • Right-click on the file, select "Properties," and make sure the file is not set to "Read-only" in the General tab.
    6. Excel Options:
      • Open Excel without opening any file.
      • Go to "File" > "Options."
      • In the Excel Options dialog, go to the "Advanced" tab.
      • Scroll down to the "General" section.
      • Make sure the "Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)" option is unchecked.
      • Click "OK" and then try opening your file.
    7. Copy and Paste:
      • Open a new Excel workbook.
      • Use the "Open" dialog to open the supposedly read-only file.
      • Copy the content from the read-only file.
      • Paste it into the new workbook.
      • Save the new workbook.

    After trying these steps, you should be able to save changes to your Excel file. If the issue persists, there might be more specific factors at play, and additional troubleshooting may be needed.

    The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.

     

    If this doesn't help, I recommend adding more information. Information such as Excel version, operating system, storage medium, etc. This would help immensely to provide you with a more concrete solution suggestion.

     

    My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

     

    Hope this will help you.

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