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:
Clear Read-Only option
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Go to File > Info.
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Select Protect document.
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Select Always Open Read-Only to clear it.
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:Â If you can't exit Protected View, it's possible that the document author or your system administrator has rules established that prevent editing.
Enable editing
Always open view‑only only affects how a document opens. It does not control editing access, which depends on sharing permissions and document restrictions.
To edit a document in Word for the web:
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Switch to Editing using the mode menu in the upper‑right corner.
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If Editing isn’t available, request edit permission or open the document in Word desktop to change restrictions.
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