The read-only feature in WPS Spreadsheet enhances document security. It prevents users from making changes to the document. However, sometimes you want to modify a document shared by your friend. You can not make changes to the document because it is read-only.
How to modify a read-only document in WPS Spreadsheet? This article will help you learn how to remove read-only in WPS Spreadsheet to make changes to the document. Stay with us.
Part 1: Why Did My Spreadsheet Open Read-only?
You have often seen that when you open an Excel document, it says the document is read-only. Read-only means that the document is protected, and you can not make changes to the document. However, you can view or print the document. The document is read-only due to enhanced security on the files downloaded from the internet to protect you from viruses and malware. The document also opens in read-only mode if someone has set the document to read-only in the properties. Here are some of the reasons why a document opens as read-only.
The Document Properties Are Set To Read-only
Right-click the file and open its Properties in the Properties window. Check the Attributes of the file. If the read-only checkbox is checked, it means the file is read-only. You can uncheck it to remove the read-only attribute.
Antivirus Program is Causing the Files to Open as Read-only
Many antivirus programs make potentially unwanted files read-only to protect you from virus or malware attacks. You can check the settings of your antivirus program to turn off this feature. For example, you can add an Exclusion for the selected file in the Windows Defender.
The Content Opens in the Protected View
Protected View is an excellent feature of Microsoft Windows. It opens the files downloaded from the internet or email attachments in the protected view. It helps to safeguard your system from possible risks of viruses and malware.
Activate Your Product
Your file is also opened in read-only mode if your product is unlicensed and not activated. Get a license for your product and activate it to open the files in editable format.
Your Cloud Storage Platform is Full
If your file is stored in any cloud storage platform, e.g., WPS Cloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, DropBox, etc., and your allocated storage space is full, you cannot save your document or make any changes to the document. Check whether free space is available in your cloud storage platform.
The File is Protected With a Password
If the file owner has protected the file with a password, it will be opened in read-only mode.
The Excel File is Marked As Final
Marked As Final is an option in Excel that lets you save your Excel document as a final draft so that no one can make further changes. If you open a Marked As Final Excel document, it will be opened in read-only mode.
Part 2: How To Remove Read-only in WPS Spreadsheet?
If your file is read-only, you can easily remove the read-only mode. There are different methods to do this. These methods differ depending on why your document is in read-only mode. Here is how to remove read-only in the WPS spreadsheet.
How to Remove Read-only from an Excel File Marked as Final?
Step 1: Open the Excel sheet with WPS Sheets, go to the File menu, and select Info.
Step 2: Click the Protect Workbook option and select the drop-down arrow.
Step 3: Select Mark as Final to edit the document.
Step 4: You can also click the Edit Anyway button in the yellow notification at the top of the document to edit6 the file.
How to Remove Open as Read-only Recommended from an Excel File?
Step 1: Open the Excel sheet. A dialog box will appear showing that this file is read-only. Do you want to open it as read-only, click the No button to modify the document.
Step 2: You can permanently block this message by selecting the Menu and Save As option.
Step 3: Click the Encypt option located to the left of the Save option.
Step 4: Uncheck the Read-only recommended checkbox at the page's bottom and click OK.
How to Remove “Read-only” from a Read-only Excel File Properties?
Step 1: Right-click the Excel file and select Properties.
Step 2: At the bottom of the Properties windows, uncheck the Read-only checkbox in the Attributes section and click OK.
How to Remove Read-only from a Protected Excel File?
Step 1: Go to the Review tab in your Excel workbook.
Step 2: Click the Unprotect Sheet option.
Step 3: Enter the password to unprotect the sheet, make document changes, and click OK.
Removing the "Read-Only" status empowers you to edit and make changes as needed, but it's essential to do so with caution and awareness of file access rights. Safeguard your data by balancing your need for editing with maintaining data integrity.
Part 3: Edit Your Excel Spreadsheet for Free - WPS Office
WPS Office is a popular office suite used by millions of people worldwide. It is becoming the first and the best choice for industry professionals and students due to its excellent and unique features. WPS Office is free to use and available on multiple platforms. It supports all file formats of Microsoft Office. You can easily open read-only files in WPS Spreadsheet and edit these documents.
Unique Features of WPS Office
Free To Use
WPS Office is freely available to download, install, and use. You can use WPS Office on Windows, Linux, Android, Mac, and iOS devices free of cost.
Powerful Excel Tools with Simple Interface
WPS Sheets help you open and edit all your Excel documents for free. You can easily use powerful functions, macros, and formulas of Excel in WPS Sheets. You can also convert your Excel sheet to different document formats using WPS Conversion tools.
Easily Collaborate With Your Teams
WPS Office offers collaborative features for real-time and seamless collaboration on documents with your colleagues. You and your teammates can make real-time changes to a single document simultaneously. You can also track changes made to the document by your team members. You can also suggest changes and make comments on the document.
Free Built-in Templates
WPS Sheets have numerous built-in templates to create and design your worksheets easily. Different templates are available to develop Education, Finance, Marketing, HR, and Supply Chain workbooks.
Frequently Asked Question
1. How to edit read-only in the WPS spreadsheet?
You can edit a read-only document in WPS Sheets by using several methods. Some are listed below.
Remove the password protection
Change settings from the Properties window
Change the document to an unprotected sheet
2. How to turn off read-only in the WPS spreadsheet?
You can turn off the read-only of a WPS spreadsheet by using this method.
Step 1: Right-click the document and select the Properties option.
Step 2: Uncheck the read-only option in Attributes and click OK.
3. Why does my drive say read-only?
There are different reasons why your drive storage becomes read-only.
Virus or malware infection
The drive is write protected or get locked
The user does not have a write permission
The drive has a file that is not supported by your system.
How To Remove Read-only in WPS Spreadsheet - Wrap Up
Your document is read-only due to several reasons. The document is password protected, or your antivirus program has set the document to read-only mode to save your system from virus or malware infection. You can easily remove the read-only in the WPS spreadsheet using the different methods discussed in this guide.
WPS Office is the best software to create, edit and open Excel files. You can also make your document read-only or remove the read-only mode in simple steps. Get your copy of the WPS office from its official website.
