how do i protect a word document from editing

When someone opens the document, they will see a message at the top of the screen informing them of the file’s status.

By marking a document as Final, you disable typing, editing, and proofing capabilities and a message will appear to any reader that the document has been finalized. Word will inform you that the document is now final and will be saved. Open File > Info > Protect Document and choose Mark as Final. Instead of using a digital signature, you can still mark the document as final in a more unofficial way. Anyone who opens the document will see the notice of your digital signature. Word explains that the document has been signed and marked as final and that if anyone tampers with it, the signatures become invalid. Your document is now digitally signed and made read-only. You may be asked to confirm the digital signature, then click OK. Fill out the necessary fields and click the Sign button.

Scroll down the page to learn how to add a digital signature.Īfter you have the digital ID, return to the Protect Document button and again click Add a Digital Signature. Then, click the “Add or remove a digital signature in Office files” link.

Try the links for the various providers to get a digital ID. Click Yes, and a Microsoft support page will pop up to help you find a digital ID. The first time you do this, Word flashes a message asking if you want to set up a digital signature. To create a digital signature, you'll need a signing certificate. This tells people who read your document that you and no one else signed it, indicating that you were the last person to revise and save it. To protect your document with a digital signature, open File > Info > Protect Document and select Add a Digital Signature. Click OK to close the Formatting Restrictions window. If you're not sure, leave these three settings unchecked. You can also check any of the three options under Formatting to allow AutoFormat to override formatting restrictions, block the ability to switch themes or schemes, and block the ability to switch QuickStyle Sets. If you're not sure which setting to pick, choose Recommended Minimum. You can keep that as is, change it to the Recommended Minimum, or change it to None. Click Settings to open a Formatting Restrictions pop-up window, which shows all style changes that are allowed by default. Here, you can give people permission to read your document, select what parts they can edit, and choose how they do it.Ĭheck the box next to “Limit formatting to a selection of styles” to prevent people from changing the formatting of your document. Your document then displays a Restrict Editing pane on the right-hand side of the document for formatting and editing restrictions. Click File > Info > Protect Document and select Restrict Editing. You can limit the ways in which your document can be edited. Best Hosted Endpoint Protection and Security Software.

How do i protect a word document from editing