Have you ever had to deal with the Excel read-only error, or were unable to access a read-only document Excel problem? Most often, the Excel read-only error happens when you attempt opening the Excel file, which was downloaded via a network server or email server, as well as from the internet.
If you are also struggling with the same problem, then take your stress off. This article will offer the most efficient solutions to resolve Excel file read-only and Excel subscription expired errors.
What Is Excel Read Only File And How It’s Helpful?
Excel read-only files are files with the attribute “read-only” switched on. The basic idea is that a read-only excel file can be easily seen and opened as any other type of file. However, writing or saving changes to it is not allowed within it. This means that you can only access the file, not save or write anything in it.
Excel file, which is read-only and should be viewed with extreme caution before making any modifications to it.
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Many users make use of this Excel document read-only option to prevent formatting and editing within the Excel document by document reviewers.
Imagine that you don’t want that any content reviewer alters any form of information in your document. Make your Excel workbook read-only prior to you handing over your document.
If any reviewers make any modifications to the Excel reading-only document. In this case, changes will only be saved when there is a change in the location or a new name is given to that file.
What if, however, you’re not able to open the read-only Excel File? Then you will get the error message that reads: Excel cannot access read-only documents. If you encounter this error, you will be totally unable to access your Excel workbook. Therefore, it is essential to correct the Excel read-only error in order to gain access back to your Excel workbook.
Why Does My Excel File Keep Saying Read Only?
Before beginning the fix to solve Excel read-only error. It’s essential to know the causes that lead to Excel worksheets that display read-only errors.
1# Spreadsheet Settings
Excel worksheets and sheets can be utilized with protection functions to provide simple protection from any type of alteration.
In accordance with the level of security, You can change it to completely or in part Read Only. To do this, you need to select the”Unprotect” option in your review section. If a user has enabled the protection using a password it’s essential to know the password in order to disable the read-only protection.
2# File Corruption
In many instances, it is observed that Excel corruption of the file also makes your Excel spreadsheet Read-only.
Even after having checked every setting and verifying the location of your file If your Excel workbook displays the Excel read-only error. It’s a clear indication that the Excel file was corrupted in some way and therefore refuses to open.
3# Location
Another common cause for Excel read-only errors is its place of origin. In the event that you’re Excel spreadsheet is in the network folder, you don’t have permission from the network to make changes to the folder. In this case, the Excel spreadsheet functioned as read-only. This means that you are able to look at its data, but not edit it.
Excel spreadsheet that is on the secured USB stick or DVD CD-ROM is that is also regarded to be Read Only. Any spreadsheet that is included in the email or is viewed within any email application is considered to be Read Only.
In all of the above situations, you need to correct Excel read-only file errors, you must fix the problem. It is necessary to transfer and save your Excel spreadsheet in the folder with full permission to modify it.
How To Fix ‘Excel Cannot Open Read-Only Documents’ Message?
Take a look at the solutions below to fix the ‘Excel Could Not open Read-Only Documents’ message:
1# Change the Excel File Property Set
The most common reason for the appearance of Excel is not being able to open read-only files The reason for this message is Excel property for the file can be set to only read.
To resolve this issue You just need to remove your Excel “Read-only’ file property option.
Here are the steps to remove the ‘Read-only attribute.
- Right-click a particular Excel document
- In the menu select the tab ‘Properties’.
- Uncheck the box from the “Read-only attribute, and then click OK.
Find out if you can determine if the Excel read-only error has been addressed or not.
2# Excel File Is In Read-Only Recommended
If you’re opening a Read-only Excel file. It is suggested that you start an Excel worksheet in read-only mode to make any modifications to your Excel file.
Click the Yes option within the Excel read-only error message box. If you’re not planning to make any changes to your open Excel file. or tap the “No” option.
If you don’t wish to have this recommended read-only in your Excel workbook, then follow these steps below:
- Double tap your Excel file. Next, choose an option No to open the file.
- Hit the File and Save as. In the saved as window, select”Look.
- In the lower part within the Save As dialog box, select Tools, and then select General Options.
- Under the General options, you must uncheck the recommended checkbox for Read-only. Then, you can tap OK. This will turn off the read-only warning within the Excel spreadsheet.
3# Adjust the Antivirus Setting
Sometimes, the read-only error in Excel can also be attributed to an antivirus program. It is evident that a few antivirus programs limit the access of Excel spreadsheets, as well as many different MS Office documents by opening the documents in read-only mode.
To handle such situations you will need to make changes to the settings of your antivirus. In this way, the antivirus can allow you to open your Excel workbook to open in normal mode. You are able to make simple changes to it.
Do not forget to open Excel after you have opened your Excel workbook after making any changes to Your antivirus settings.
4# Remove the Excel Protected-View
Excel file that is opened via a potentially risky website, such as internet emails, attachments to emails downloaded from any third external source, etc. is opened in a secure view. The feature that Excel Protected-View provides Excel Protected View restricts the user to modify the opened Excel spreadsheet. Therefore, you are able to disable the Protected-View security alerts within Excel and continue to access the Excel spreadsheet, with the sole error of reading only.
5# Deactivate Or Renew Microsoft Office
It is possible the case that your MS Office application is either or has been deactivated. It could also be that your subscription is expired.
It could cause your Excel application to display a “read-only” error or “reduced function modes.’
To address the issue, you will need to either enable MS Office or just renew your subscription to MS Office.
After you have completed this operation, you should check whether you can determine if the issue “Excel can’t open documents that are read-only’ has been resolved or not.
6# Make A Fresh Copy Of Your Excel Document:
There are many causes why Excel not being able to open Read-Only files. It is a situation where you are able to make adjustments to the Excel workbook, but saving your modifications isn’t possible. In that case, an easy solution is to select”save” or the “save as” option.
Since this option makes an exact copy of the Excel workbook, with all of your modifications completed. If you wish to fix your issue permanently with “Unable To Save Excel File” then you must move to the Excel spreadsheet.
However, if you accidentally deleted your Excel workbook’s content because of the inability to store it. If that happens, you can retrieve MS Excel Lost content from Excel temp files.
7# Make Use Of Excel Repair Tool Software:
As we’ve already mentioned previously, among the many causes of Excel read-only error “corruption of Excel file” is the most popular. To resolve Excel problems with corrupted files, utilize the expert and trusted Excel Repair Software.
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Conclusion:
After you have read the above article, it is now possible to troubleshoot the problem of Excel not being able to open documents with read-only access’ issue by yourself. If the read-only Excel file issue is the result of Excel file corruption, fix the damaged Excel files with the help of the Excel repair software.
Tell us if you’re Excel read-only error has been fixed following the solutions above or not. Also, don’t be reluctant to share your findings with us through our comments section. Additionally, you can inquire about any questions regarding Excel.
