Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Allowing Only Comments in a Document.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 14, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365
Word includes the ability to protect your document so that only you can make changes to it; everyone else must add their changes by adding annotations or comments. If this type of document protection appeals to you, follow these steps:
With this type of protection turned on, people can still load and read the document. The only difference is that they cannot change anything in the document. The only thing they can do is add comments, which you can later review and act upon as desired.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (6044) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Allowing Only Comments in a Document.
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2024-09-03 15:11:27
Tiffany Terry
This was super useful, nice and concise. Thanks!
2020-03-28 05:31:32
Mohd Hasan
Is there any trick to Avoid copying text from my documents.
Problem : I used formatting restriction in my documents and make it only readable (from the save as option). and mail it to my friend.
he copied the text from my documents and submit it to my supervisor.
2020-02-26 16:53:40
Anonymous
Tips.net,
I am wondering how I can write and submit comments on a document when I can only view it. Could you please tell me because I googled "how to comment on a document when you are only allowed to view it" and this is what came up so I was kind of expecting this website to have my answers but it doesn't have them so that is why I am asking you to tell me. If you could then that would be very helpful. Thanks! ;)
Anonymous
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here:
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