Option to unprotect document no longer available

[Silvermari]

I am working on a document that has a lot of forms, so when I send it around the office to be edited, I protect it so they can fill in the forms just like our users would, once the document has been edited. The problem is, I can no longer unprotect the document to edit it, and there are MANY more changes to be made. I do not have a copy of what I had sent and I'm not sure how to get around the "ghosting" or dimming of the menu options.

Any suggestions? I am using MS Word 2000.

Thanks. [email protected]

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Hi, Silvermari. See if this applies to your situation: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;275975 "Can't Unprotect Protected Form That Contains a Control Toolbox Control".

 

[Canadian Technical Communicator]

I did find that article on my own, but I'm totally locked out
of my form: Control Foolbox: grayed out; Unprotoect document option: grayed
out. Changing security level: does nothing.

Can't find any relevant KB articles.

Until this bug is targeted for fixing, save an unprotected backup
somewhere. Unfortunately, many will only figure this out after
the fact. (I did have a backup, fortunately, but recreating the
"locked protected-file" takes half an hour each time, and only
because I created a macro to help out.

Take courage,
AB

 

[Canadian Technical Communicator]

Ok.this isn't a bug. So, apologies to MS.

The solution is to attach a digital signature to your VB project:
Tools > Macro > Visual Basic Editor > Tools > Digital Signature

If you don't have a digital signature, no problem:
Every copy of Windows comes with the file SELFCERT.EXE.
with which you can create a self-signed digital signature.

Overall, there is method to the madness, and it makes sense
although there is no documentation to say this. I never
had this problem before because I had always attached
a digital signature to my projects, but this time I had
forgotten.

Take courage,
AB