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)