Learn Legal-MS Word: Setting A Document Password vs. Restrict Editing

This write-up will be helpful in clarifying the difference between setting a Password for a document so that the recipient cannot open it without the having the password. This is different from making use of "Restrict Formatting and Editing Mode" which allows the recipient to access the document but having restrictions placed on what can be altered. So let us go over both: Password Protection: 1. Go To File, Info "Protect Document" Permissions. 2. Under the "Protect Document" Button, go down to "Encrypt With Password". 3. Type Your Password. Make sure you write it down somewhere. Also, from experience, make sure your fingers are on the proper place on the keyboard because you can type your "password" in wrong 2x and think you typed it in correctly. Then, when someone tries to open it with your "password", it does not work and you and the recipient are locked out and stressed out. It may also be a great idea to save a unencrypted copy of the file as well before you set the password. As to "Restrict Editing" you can get to it from File, Info, Protect Document, Restrict Editing or you can get to it from the Developer Tab as well as the Review Tab. 1. With Restrict Editing, we use it to lock a document for Fillable Forms, as well as allowing certain types of editing and determining groups and/or individuals that can do so. 2. When doing Fillable Forms, we restrict the document so that the recipient can only type in the form fields while the text of the document is off limits. I suggest you familiarize yourself with both scenarios discussed in this article. Basic-Advanced Legal and Corporate Training www.advanceto.com