Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 22, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Subscriber John McQuillan ran into a problem with one of his document files. It seems that Word periodically, and without warning, converts a file to "read only" while it is being used. It doesn't do this right after opening the file, but at different times while using the document, and most of the time after the file had already been saved a couple of times. Suddenly, the status of the file would change on its own, and when John tried to save again, Word wouldn't let him because the file was read-only.
We've not been able to discover the real cause for this problem, but one of our subscribers reported that she experienced the same problem with some Word 97 documents. It wouldn't happen to all the documents, but once it did happen to a particular document, it would keep happening to that document no matter what she did. The only way she was able to get around the problem was to turn off the automatic backup file feature in Word (Tools | Options | Save tab, clear Always Create Backup Copy) while working in that document.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (223) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2019. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2019 For Dummies today!
Want an easy way to move between directories using the Open dialog box? With just a little bit of up-front typing, you ...
Discover MoreWord has the capability to save your work, in the background, while you continue to edit your documents. This tip ...
Discover MoreYou can add custom properties to a document to help with all sorts of file management tasks. If you want to copy these ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments