How to Edit a Protected Word Document

Sometimes, your courses may require you to download and edit a template for an assignment. Some of these templates are protected Word documents, which can keep you from making any changes in the document. In order to edit a protected document to complete your assignment, please follow the steps below.

1. When you first open a protected document, a yellow bar may appear at the top of the document. Click Enable Editing.

   

   NOTE The message that appears in the yellow bar states: "Be careful - files from the Internet can contain viruses. Unless you need to edit, it's safer to stay in Protected View." Unless you need to download and edit a document for your course, it's recommended to not turn off protected view.

2. Click File in the top left corner.

   

3. In the Info tab, select Protect Document. 

   

4. Click Restrict Editing in the dropdown menu that appears.

   

5. In the Restrict Editing menu that appears on the right side of the document, click Stop Protection at the bottom of the menu.

   

6. Close out of the Restrict Editing menu. 

   

Now you can make any changes you need to in the document!