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How to Disable Read Only in Excel

By: Salman Patwegar

In order to protect the data contained within Excel documents, a lot of people make the document read only. When trying to edit a read only Excel worksheet you will be met with an error, stating that the document cannot be edited and must be saved as new.

Disable Read Only in Excel

In order to bypass this error and edit the file you need to disable the read only mode. There are 4 different ways to disable read only in Excel, each method suited for different circumstances.

Marked as Final in Excel

If your Excel worksheet is marked as final, then you will see the following notification when opening the file.

Excel Marked as Final

To edit the file, all you have to do is click on Edit anyways and the file will open up as normal.

Disable Read Only Recommended in Excel for Windows

When an Excel worksheet is read only recommended, you will be shown a pop-up warning when opening the file, asking if you would like to open the file in read only mode.

So, if your file is read only recommended, simply follow the steps below to disable read only.

1. Close the worksheet

2. Open the Worksheet and from the pop-up, click on No

Open in Read Only Pop-up

3. Now, click on File

File Tab in Excel on Windows

4. Click on Info

Info Tab in Excel on Windows

5. Click on Protect Workbook and from the dropdown click on Always Open Read-Only

Disable Read Only in Excel for Windows

From now on the file will no longer open in read only mode and you will not even be asked if you would like to open the file in read only.

Disable Read Only Recommended in Excel for Mac

The steps to disable read only in Excel for Mac are slightly different.

1. Close the worksheet

2. Open the Worksheet and from the pop-up, click on No

Open in Read Only Pop-up

3. Click on File > Uncheck the Always Open in Read Only Option

Disable Read Only in Excel for Mac

Locked Excel File on Windows

If you do not see a pop-up when opening the Excel worksheet, or it still opens in read-only even after following the steps above, then chances are the Excel file has been locked.

No need to worry though, as it is very easy to unlock a locked Excel file.

1. Locate the File in Windows explorer and right click on it

2. Click on Properties

3. Make sure you are on the General tab and uncheck the Read Only option

Disable Read Only From Windows Explorer

4. Click on Apply to save the changes.

Locked Excel File on Mac

If you are using a Mac, the steps to unlock a locked Excel file are slightly different.

1. Locate the file in Finder and then right click on it

2. From the dropdown menu click on Get Info

3. Uncheck the Locked Option

Disable Read Only From Finder

Password Protected Read Only

If you are getting an error saying the Excel worksheet is password protected, then unfortunately the only way to open the worksheet is by entering in the password.

Related
  1. How to Delete Blank Rows in Excel

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