How to Enable Editing in Word (and Turn It Off, Too)

Enable and restrict editing in Microsoft Word

By Cameron Thomas Eittreim
Updated on April 9, 2022

What to Know

  • To enable editing, go to Review > Restrict Editing and uncheck all boxes in the Restrict Editing pane.
  • To restrict formatting changes, under Formatting Restrictions, select Settings.
  • To restrict changes to parts of a document, select Allow only this type of editing in the document.

This article explains how to enable and disable editing in Microsoft Word. These instructions apply to Microsoft Word for Office 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2010, and Word for Mac.

How Do I Enable Editing in Word?

You can only turn editing on and off if you are the owner of a document. Here's how to turn on editing in documents that have previously been restricted:

  1. Select the Review Tab, then select Restrict Editing.

    Review tab and Restrict Editing in Microsoft Word

  2. In the Restrict Editing pane, uncheck Limit formatting to a selection of styles and Allow only this type of editing in the document.

    Limit formatting to a selection of styles and Allow only this type of editing in the document checkboxes in Microsoft Word

How to Restrict Formatting Changes in Word

If you share a document with other people, you can restrict specific actions that users can take in the document. You can disable editing altogether and make the file read-only, or you can restrict editing to certain parts of the document. To restrict the formatting changes, follow the steps below.

  1. Select the Review Tab, then select Restrict Editing.

    Review tab and Restrict Editing in Microsoft Word

  2. Under Formatting Restrictions, select Settings.

    Settings under Formatting Restrictions in Microsoft Word

  3. In the pop-up window, check the Limit formatting to a selection of styles box.

    Limit formatting to a selection of styles checkbox in Microsoft Word

  4. Choose what to restrict, or select All. You must check the three boxes at the bottom separately. When you're done, select OK.

    All and OK in formatting restriction settings in Microsoft Word

  5. Under Start Enforcement, select Yes, Start Enforcing Protection.

    Yes, Start Enforcing Protection in Microsoft Office

  6. A prompt will appear to add a password to that portion of the document. Click OK, and the changes will take effect.

    Ok in password restrictions box in Microsoft Word

How to Restrict Changes to Certain Parts of the Document

Without making it read-only, restricting changes to certain parts of a shared document is also possible.

  1. Select the Review Tab, then select Restrict Editing.

    Review tab and Restrict Editing in Microsoft Word

  2. Under Editing Restrictions, select Allow only this type of editing in the document.

    Allow only this type of editing in the document in Microsoft Word

  3. Select the drop-down to choose what you want to restrict (forms, comments, track changes). Choose No changes (Read Only) to restrict everything.

    Restrict Editing drop-down (forms, comments, track changes) in Microsoft Word

  4. Under Exceptions (Optional), add any users you want to exempt from restrictions.

    Under Exceptions (Optional) in Microsoft Office

  5. Under Start Enforcement, select Yes, Start Enforcing Protection.

    Yes, Start Enforcing Protection in Microsoft Office

  6. A prompt will appear to add a password to that portion of the document. Click OK, and the changes will take effect.

    Ok in password restrictions box in Microsoft Word
FAQ
  • Why can't I enable editing in Word?

    The document is probably locked. To unlock it, you must sign in as the document owner and then remove the password protection restriction. Select File > Info > Protect Document > Encrypt with Password > remove the password > OK.

  • Can you edit a scanned document in Word?

    Yes. As long as the document is in PDF format, you can edit a scanned document in Word. Just open the PDF in Word to convert the document.

  • How do I turn off track changes in Word?

    To turn off track changes in Word, go to the Review tab and select Track Changes to turn it off. To hide formatting marks in Word, go to File > Options > Display.

  • How do I turn off AutoCorrect in Word?

    To change AutoCorrect settings in Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. From here, you can customize the feature or turn it off altogether.



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