Word 2016's editing restrictions limit the user's ability to create new text in a document or edit existing text. You can apply the restrictions to the entire document, or you can allow editing within given blocks, or editing areas. The basic form of restriction, however, allows you to limit what can be done to the document. Follow these steps:
- Save your document.
- Click the File tab.
- On the Info screen, click the Protect Document button.
- Choose Restrict Editing. The Restrict Editing pane appears.
- Place a checkmark in the box below Editing Restrictions. The Editing Restrictions area expands, as shown. Specifically, the list of exceptions appears, but your focus for now is on the menu, as illustrated in the figure.
- Choose a restriction level from the menu. The options are
- No Changes (Read Only): The document cannot be edited or changed.
- Tracked Changes: Modifications can be made, but only with the Tracked Changes feature active.
- Comments: Other authors can insert only comments.
- Filling in Forms: Only content controls are available for typing text or adding information to the document.
If you're collaborating and you want to ensure that your text is unmolested, choose Tracked Changes or Comments.
Applying editing restrictions.
- Click the button Yes, Start Enforcing Protection.
- Type a password into the dialog box: once to set the password and again to confirm.
- Click OK to begin enforcing the editing restrictions.
If you choose the restriction levels No Changes (Read Only) or Comments, you can set any exceptions and create editing areas.
The restrictions remain applied to the document until you remove them.