1. Is it possible to lock a document in such a way that it can only
ever be opened "read only"? I know about the modify password, but I
want it permanently locked (no password).

2. Failing that, is there a way to bypass the modify password prompt
panel and have it just automatically open it read-only or with only an
informational message box that would require just the Enter key to
clear? I know that the modify password prompt can be cleared with 3
tabs and an Enter key or with Alt+r, but just Enter would be simpler.

I (and my staff) work with a lot of legal documents. When we send out
the "final" version, we like to lock it using a modify password so
that we can be sure that the copy on our disk is the exact same as the
version being circulated or filed with the court. We also want to be
able to reprint the document later and be sure that it is unchanged.

I am not worried about malicious tampering. The problem we encounter
most often is the inadvertant resaving of a document that can occur if
it is reloaded for reprinting. When we close the document, even though
no changes have been made to the document, Word will ask us if we want
to "save changes". I think this is because we have timestamp fields in
the footer. The default is "Yes" so if someone just hits Enter, the
document will be resaved and even though it has not really been
changed, the last modified time stamp is changed, which makes the
court nervous.

I think I would like the "no password" capability (1.) because I never
want the document modified, but logistically that could be a hassle as
we are going through final revisions. Maybe the current implementation
is better than the alternatives.

Thanks


--
Running Word 2K SP-3 (9.0.6926)
PC: HP Omnibook 6000
OS: Win 2K SP-4 (5.00.2195)
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(11/03/04)

No. You need to convert the document into a locked PDF file for
distribution.

--
Terry Farrell - Word MVP
http://word.mvps.org/


"Top Spin" wrote in message
...
: 1. Is it possible to lock a document in such a way that it can only
: ever be opened "read only"? I know about the modify password, but I
: want it permanently locked (no password).
:
: 2. Failing that, is there a way to bypass the modify password prompt
: panel and have it just automatically open it read-only or with only an
: informational message box that would require just the Enter key to
: clear? I know that the modify password prompt can be cleared with 3
: tabs and an Enter key or with Alt+r, but just Enter would be simpler.
:
: I (and my staff) work with a lot of legal documents. When we send out
: the "final" version, we like to lock it using a modify password so
: that we can be sure that the copy on our disk is the exact same as the
: version being circulated or filed with the court. We also want to be
: able to reprint the document later and be sure that it is unchanged.
:
: I am not worried about malicious tampering. The problem we encounter
: most often is the inadvertant resaving of a document that can occur if
: it is reloaded for reprinting. When we close the document, even though
: no changes have been made to the document, Word will ask us if we want
: to "save changes". I think this is because we have timestamp fields in
: the footer. The default is "Yes" so if someone just hits Enter, the
: document will be resaved and even though it has not really been
: changed, the last modified time stamp is changed, which makes the
: court nervous.
:
: I think I would like the "no password" capability (1.) because I never
: want the document modified, but logistically that could be a hassle as
: we are going through final revisions. Maybe the current implementation
: is better than the alternatives.
:
: Thanks
:
:
: --
: Running Word 2K SP-3 (9.0.6926)
: PC: HP Omnibook 6000
: OS: Win 2K SP-4 (5.00.2195)
: Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
: (11/03/04)

On Wed, 5 Jan 2005 17:51:03 -0000, "TF"
terryfarrell%40%6d%73%6e%2ecom wrote:

No. You need to convert the document into a locked PDF file for
distribution.

I never distribute the electronic document -- only printed copies. The
locking I am looking for is only for inhouse protection and only
inadvertant modifications at that.

--
Running Word 2K SP-3 (9.0.6926)
PC: HP Omnibook 6000
OS: Win 2K SP-4 (5.00.2195)
Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
(11/03/04)

In that case, just use Tools, Protect - don't both with the save as read
only option.

Terry

"Top Spin" wrote in message
...
: On Wed, 5 Jan 2005 17:51:03 -0000, "TF"
: terryfarrell%40%6d%73%6e%2ecom wrote:
:
: No. You need to convert the document into a locked PDF file for
: distribution.
:
: I never distribute the electronic document -- only printed copies. The
: locking I am looking for is only for inhouse protection and only
: inadvertant modifications at that.
:
: --
: Running Word 2K SP-3 (9.0.6926)
: PC: HP Omnibook 6000
: OS: Win 2K SP-4 (5.00.2195)
: Email: Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
: (11/03/04)