Make Workbook Read Only

Excel has a built-in option to make a workbook read only. If you want to make a read-only workbook, follow the steps below.

Note that you can still save the changes in a copy of the workbook. You can protect the sheet for better protection.

1. Open a workbook.

2. Go to File, click Save as.

3. Click on Browse.

4. In the Save as dialog box, click on the Tools button and select General options.

5. Enter a password in the Password to modify the box.

Note: if you want a read-only workbook without protection, then only check the Read-only recommended box and leave the password box empty.

6. Reenter the password and click OK.

7. Now, enter a file name of your choice and click Save.

Finally, the workbook has been read-only. For your reference, we used “protect” as the password.

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