Read only protection in Word 2003 with exception ranges - performa

[BillBQ]

Hi,
I have a problem where my Word document is setup as read only protection and
has numerous exception ranges where the user is allowed to edit ( several
hundred -- including individual table cells ).

I notice that when the number of exception ranges is reasonably low (less
than 30, or so) Word works well. However, when there are a few hundred
exception ranges the performance is terrible. After turning on the read only
protection there will be a long wait time where Word is processing -- maybe
30 seconds.

If the document is loaded with protection already on the performance hit
doesn't happen until after the user makes a change and then attempts to move
their cursor. Again, 30 seconds of Word spinning with the hourglass cursor.

I notice this problem does not seem to happen with Word 2007. Any ideas if
this is something that has a workaround or maybe even a statement from
Microsoft that the problem is indeed within Word 2003 and is corrected by
Word 2007?

Thanks for any input.
Bill

 

[spunkymuffmonkey]

Hi BillBQ

For the sake of clarity, when you state the word document is read only, do
you mean it is a protected form?? And by 'exception ranges' do you mean form
fields?

Also, are you stating that when the form is protected and users move within
the form fields contained, it takes a long time for the computer to catch up
with itself.

You might want to check if there are any macros running upon entry or exit
of the form fields (exception ranges as you say), there might be a macro that
updates all other form field which would take some time if you have hundreds
of them.

If you clarify the above then we might get to the bottom of your problem!

Kind regards

 

[BillBQ]

Word allows you to protect a document in a few ways including: Track
Changes, Comments, Filling in Forms, and No Changes (Read only). These are
all in the combo box of "2. Editing restrictions" in the Protect Document
pane from Word 2003.

We are not using Filling in Forms protection. We are using "No Changes
(Read only)" protection. This protection type restricts the user from
editing the entire document except for the "Exceptions" as specified -- where
you apply the "Everyone" Group.

I have a document that is 20 or so pages long and contains large tables and
other data that has been setup to restrict editing using "No changes"
protection. I have added hundreds of "Everyone" exception ranges so the user
can edit specific areas within the document.

I notice that when this document is loaded there is a huge performance
problem when the user makes their first edit (within one of the exception
ranges). I also notice that if the document is loaded without the protection
turned on, then later turned on after the load of the document, there will
also be a large delay -- sometimes 30 seconds long where Word does not
respond.

Some other possibly interesting findings are:
1) Word 2007 has no such issue - the performance works well with the same
document.
2) Sometimes when editing (inserting new characters) in the Word 2003
document when the "No changes" protection is on the user will see a sequence
of repeated characters inserted. For instance, the user may type
"protection" but what they see added to the document is "prrrotection".
3) This problem was originally discovered with my VSTO solution but I have
made the same changes with a regular Word document and seen the same behavior
(no VSTO).
4) No macros are running.

Bill