Windows XP: Open file in read-only: Word, Excel, Visio

[paul.domaskis]

I'm often sharing files on a network drive with someone. Often, one
of us knows that we don't need to open a file for modification, and we
only need read-access. Is there a way to open a file in read-only
mode so that when someone does need to open it for modification, the
read-only user is not blocking that?

If there is not a way to do this native to Windows XP, is there a way
to do it from the three applications that we use most, namely Word,
Excel, Visio? All are 2003 versions.

Thx.

 

[Dave Peterson]

I used to save files like this in "read only recommended" mode.

File|SaveAs|Tools|General Options|and check that box.

It's not foolproof, but most people would open in readonly mode.

 

[Idaho Word Man]

Another way to do this, as long as both of you know when you will need a
document to be read only, is just to use the regular Ctrl-O command. When the
Open File window opens, next to the "Open" button you'll see a little black
down arrow. Select the file you want (single click only) and then cick on
that arrow, and "Open Read-Only" will be one of the options available to you.
Pick it.

I hope this helps.

Fred

 

[paul.domaskis]

Hmmm, that's an options. Is there to make opening in readonly not so
much a default as an option that can be called upon when occassionally
needed?

 

[Dave Peterson]

How would windows/excel know when it was needed?

Hmmm, that's an options. Is there to make opening in readonly not so
much a default as an option that can be called upon when occassionally
needed?

 

[Yves Dhondt]

In Word 2007, go to "Open" dialog, select your file. Then, press the little
down arrow next to the "Open" button. One of the options is to open the file
in read-only mode.

In Word 2003 (which I have no longer installed on this machine) there was a
similar option in the "Open" dialog if I'm not mistaken.

Yves

 

[paul.domaskis]

How would windows/excel know when it was needed?

What I pictured was that open-in-read-only would be one of the options
in the context menu that pops up when you right-click the file in
Windows Explorer.

 

[paul.domaskis]

In Word 2007, go to "Open" dialog, select your file. Then, press the little
down arrow next to the "Open" button. One of the options is to open the file
in read-only mode.

In Word 2003 (which I have no longer installed on this machine) there wasa
similar option in the "Open" dialog if I'm not mistaken.

Yves

That is awesome! I will look for such an option in all applications I
use henceforth. Too bad such an option is not available in the
context menu that is popped up when one right-clicks the file in
Windows Explorer.

 

[Dave Peterson]

So you're going to trust the users to either rightclick on the file or choose
the dropdown on the Open button within the File|Open dialog.

That doesn't sound feasible to me.