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Which Office program are you using?

Word

If you don't want anyone to accidentally delete or modify a document, you can make it read-only, which allows everyone to continue reading and copying the contents, but not to change the document in any way. Files can be locked by using the Finder, which makes them read-only.

When a document has been made read-only, only the owner or those with Write privileges can remove the designation. If someone attempts to make changes to a read-only document, the changes can be saved only by making a copy of the document and giving it a new name.

See also

Set or clear read-only status

Protect a document with a password

Restrict permission to content in a file

PowerPoint

If you don't want anyone to accidentally delete or modify a presentation, you can make it read-only, which allows everyone to continue reading and copying the contents, but not to change the presentation in any way. Files can be locked by using the Finder, which makes them read-only.

When a presentation has been made read-only, only the owner or those with Write privileges can remove the designation. If someone attempts to make changes to a read-only presentation, the changes can be saved only by making a copy of the presentation and giving it a new name.

See also

Restrict permission to content in a file

Excel

If you don't want anyone to accidentally delete or modify a workbook, you can make it read-only, which allows everyone to continue reading and copying the contents, but not to change the workbook in any way.

When a workbook has been made read-only, only the owner or those with Write privileges can remove the designation. If someone attempts to make changes to a read-only workbook, the changes can be saved only by making a copy of the workbook and giving it a new name.

Files can be locked by using the Finder, which makes them read-only and prevents them from being deleted. You can also recommend that a workbook be opened as read-only from within Excel for Mac, but this does not prevent changes from being made.

See also

Prompt to open a workbook as read-only

Restrict permission to content in a file

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