Enable Editing In Your Document - Microsoft Support

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If you receive or open a document and can't make any changes, it might be Open for viewing only in Protected View. One of the options below can help you:

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Clear Read-Only option

1. Go to File > Info.

2. Select Protect document.

3. Clear Always Open Read-Only.

Update the document access mode

If you still can't edit, you can try the upper-right corner drop-down.

Select Viewing or Reviewing and switch to Editing.

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Note: If you can't exit Protected View, it's possible that the document author or your system administrator has rules established that prevent editing.

Clear Read-Only option

1. Go to File > Info.

2. Clear Always Open View-Only.

Update the document access mode

If you still can't edit, you can try the upper-right corner drop-down.

Select Viewing or Reviewing and switch to Editing.

​​​​​​​

Note: If you can't exit Protected View, it's possible that the document author or your system administrator has rules established that prevent editing.

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