How to Restrict Editing in Word 2010

In my previous two posts I have shown you how to restrict someone from opening the document in:

• How to Password Protect Word 2010 Document (Option 1)
• How to Password Protect Word 2010 Document (Option 2)

In this post I will show you another way you can restrict users from doing any type of editing and formating in a word document. The restrict editing feature is available only in Word and Excel. Pleases follow the simple steps below:

Step 1: Open a existing document in Microsoft Office Word 2010 and click the File Tab
Step 2: Choose the Info Tab

Step 3: On the Info tab click on Permissions and choose Restrict Editing.

Step 4 - 1: Under Formatting restrictions enable Limit formatting to a selection of styles option. For configuring advance options click Settings.

The advance setting panel will look something like this..

Here you have the ability to restrict formatting to the desired styles and prevent others from modifying styles and change formatting of the document. Scroll through the list and disable the desired options. You can also use the recommended settings by clicking Recommended Minimum. You can also Allow AutoFormat to override formatting restrictions Block Theme/Scheme Switching, and Block Quick Style Set Switching. Once your done click OK.


Step 4 - 2: Now, have a look on the second option “Editing Restrictions”, so check mark the box followed by “Allow only this type of editing in the document”. From the list box select any option according to your requirement as I have selected “No changes (Read only)”

 

Step 4 - 3: Now, if you want to give the right to readers to edit some sections of document then first select that section of document so click on the starting point and by pressing left button of mouse drag to the end point. Now, mark the check box followed by “Everyone” on “Restrict Formatting and Editing” window

Step 5: Now click on “Yes, Start Enforcing Protection” button to make the change effective.

Step 6: It will ask for Password to protect the document so “Enter new password” and “Reenter password to confirm” and click OK”

 

“Restrict Formatting and Editing” is enabled for the document.