The only thing they can do is add comments, which you can later review and act upon as desired. The only difference is that they cannot change anything in the document. A subscription to make the most of your time. Follow these steps to edit: Go to File > Info. With this type of protection turned on, people can still load and read the document. If you receive or open a document and can't make any changes, it might be Open for viewing only in Protected View.

Enter a password (twice) in the dialog box.

Word displays the Start Enforcing Protection dialog box.

Click Yes, Start Enforcing Protection.

Using the drop-down list, choose Comments.

Word enables the drop-down list under the checkbox.

In the Editing Restrictions section of the pane, choose the Allow Only This Type of Editing in the Document check box.

Word displays the Restrict Formatting and Editing pane (Word 2010) or the Restrict Editing pane (Word 2013 or a later version.)

We can use the transformation of document format and external editing to unprotect Word document.

Save the new document and modify or edit as you want. Click the Protect Document button and then select the Restrict Editing option from. If you are using Word 2010 or a later version click the Restrict Editing tool in the Protect group. Open or create a new blank Word document and tap Ctrl + V to paste the copied content. Open the Word document that you want to apply the editing restrictions to. Word displays the Protect Document pane at the right side of your document (Word 2007).

Click the Protect Document tool within the Protect group.

If this type of document protection appeals to you, follow these steps: Word includes the ability to protect your document so that only you can make changes to it everyone else must add their changes by adding annotations or comments.

How to edit a protected word document