How to restrict document editing in Microsoft Office

When sharing an Office document with colleagues or a group, making sure the content remains accurate is critical. Although you can add together a countersign to protect a document, people with access can still make unwanted changes, which can issue in delays or advice of the wrong information.

If you lot employ Office 365, Office 2022, or an older version, you can employ several features to restrict editing to a department or entire certificate, spreadsheet, or presentation to prevent users from making changes accidentally.

In this Windows x guide, nosotros walk you through multiple methods to restrict document editing and forestall accidental changes on Discussion, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.

How to forbid unwanted edits by restricting changes in Microsoft Part
How to prevent unwanted edits using the read-merely option in Microsoft Office
How to prevent unwanted edits by marking documents as final in Microsoft Role

How to prevent unwanted edits by restricting changes in Microsoft Part

In Microsoft Office, you tin use the restrict editing tools to control formatting, style, and the types of content users are immune to update to prevent unwanted changes.

Restricting modifications in Word

To restrict style and formatting editing in Word, use these steps:

Open the Word certificate.
Click on File.
Click on Info.
On the correct side, click the Protect document menu.
Select the Restrict Editing selection.
Under the "Formatting restrictions" section, bank check the Limit formatting to a selection of styles choice.
Click the Settings pick.
Clear the styles that you lot want to restrict from editing.

Tip: You can as well use the "All," "Recommended Minimum," and "None" buttons to rapidly allow or deny a group of styles.
(Optional) Under the "Formatting" department, select the formatting that you want to allow or deny:
- Allow AutoFormat to override formatting restrictions.
- Block Theme or Scheme switching.
- Block Quick Fashion Gear up switching.
Click the OK button.
Click the Yes push to remove (or the No push to retain the original changes) formatting or styles that are at present restricted.
Check the Allow simply this type of editing in the document option.
Utilise the drop-down card to select an option that best suits your situation, including:
- No changes (Read simply).
- Tracked changes.
- Comments.
- Filling in forms.
Tip: If you want users to only view the content while preventing unintentional changes, utilize the "No changes (Read only)" option and set a password on step No. 17.
(Optional) Using the mouse, select the part of the document that users are allowed to edit without restrictions.
Under the Exceptions section, select the grouping or user (click the More users choice) y'all want to allow to edit the role of the certificate selected.
Under the "Outset enforcement" section, select the Yes, Offset Enforcing Protection button.
(Optional) Select the Password option.
Click the OK push button.

In one case yous complete these steps, the application volition block users from making unwanted changes based on your configuration.

If you lot change your mind, you can always revert the settings using the same instructions, but on step No. 6, click the Stop Protection push at the bottom of the "Restrict Editing" pane in the correct side.

Restricting modifications in Excel

To restrict editing to a sheet in Excel, use these steps:

Open the Excel certificate.
Click on File.
Click on Info.
On the correct side, click the Protect Workbook menu.
Select the Protect electric current sheet option.
(Optional) Set a password to unlock the sheet.
Check the Protect worksheet and contents of locked cells option.
Select the edits users are immune to brand.
Click the OK push button.
Re-enter the password to confirm.
Click the OK push.

After completing the steps, users volition only be allowed to make changes based on the settings that you specified.

If you no longer need to protect an Excel sheet, you can revert the changes using the same instructions, but on step No. iv, brand sure to click the Unprotect option on the right side.

Protect workbook structure

In add-on to restricting edits to the sheet, y'all tin also foreclose unwanted changes to the structure of the workbook with these steps:

Open the Excel document.
Click on File.
Click on Info.
On the right side, click the Protect Workbook bill of fare.
Select the Protect Workbook Structure selection.
(Optional) Fix a password to allow changes.
Under the "Protect workbook for" department, check the Structure choice.
Click the OK button.
Re-enter the password to confirm.
Click the OK button.

One time you complete these steps, users won't be able to modify the structure of the workbook, including adding, moving, deleting, hiding or renaming worksheets.

You can ever undo the changes using the same instructions until step No. five.

How to foreclose unwanted edits using the read-but selection in Microsoft Office

If you don't desire anyone to make adventitious changes to a Give-and-take, Excel, or PowerPoint certificate, yous can configure the file to ever open up as read-only.

To open a document e'er in read-only mode, utilize these steps:

Open the Part certificate.
Click on File.
Click on Info.
On the right side, click the Protect document bill of fare.
Select the Ever Open Read-Only option.

After completing these steps, the document will always open in read-but mode to prevent accidental changes. If yous must input an update, close and re-open the document, and click the No button in the dialog box.

How to forbid unwanted edits past marker documents equally concluding in Microsoft Office

Alternatively, you tin also mark a Word, Excel, and PowerPoint certificate as final to prevent unintentional changes.

To marker an Office certificate as terminal, use these steps:

Open the Office document.
Click on File.
Click on Info.
On the correct side, click the Protect document bill of fare.
Select the Marker as Terminal option.
Click the OK push.
Click the OK button once again.

One time you complete these steps, the document volition be marked every bit last, and every bit a result, irresolute comments, typing, and proofing will be disabled, preventing users from making changes.

You can always undo the setting using the same instructions until step No. v.

While marking a document equally final disables editing, users volition all the same able to unlock the document to brand changes. However, it's a handy feature to let users know that the file has been finalized and to prevent unintentional changes that can go unnoticed.