Can't edit a file that opens in Protected View mode

Hi all,

Hopefully someone can help me with this. A client has sent me an Excel workbook that appears on the screen with the message adivising that it is Protected View as a result of having been downloaded from the internet. If I click on the Enable Editing button the workbook is completely deactivated. I have played around with my Trust Centre settings but nothing seems to work. Any other ideas much appreciated.

Cheers,

Andrew

I have the same problem, even when the file is one I have created from other agency data bases. I went to the Options - Trust Center - Protected View and changed the settings in Word. My Excel program is still frozen. I think my next step will be to shutdown, reboot, and open a safe Excel file and then do the same.

Hi,

You mean that you are able to edit the file when it opens in protected view by clicking on Enable Editing.
This issue occurs when Excel thinks the file has been downloaded from an unsafe location. That's why it opens the excel file in Read-Only mode.
However, the protected view sometimes also prevents an excel file from opening, even if it’s from a safe location.

As you have tried disabling all the boxes in Trust Centre Settings, Repair the Office Installation if you haven't done that, and also look for office updates.

Another way to solve this is to Convert the file into .xlsx format and rename it.
If you have a .xls file, convert it into .xlsx format and then rename it.

Then this issue won't take place again.

Best Regards.

Changing Protected View Settings

In the Ribbon, select File > Options > Trust Center.
Select Trust Center Settings, and then select Protected View.
Remove the check marks from the three checkboxes in Protected View.
Click OK to save the changes.

Greetings,
Peter