WD97: File Sharing Options Are Ignored

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you open a document that was saved in an earlier Microsoft Word format (such as Word 6.0/95, Word 2.x for Windows, or Word 6.x for MS-DOS), you are neither prompted to enter a password nor to open the document as read- only, even though the original file used these File Sharing Options.

NOTE: All of the Word 6.0/95 converters produce the same results.

MORE INFORMATION

When you initially save a Word 97 document in the format of an earlier version of Word, and select any File Sharing Options, you receive the following message:

   This document is password protected. Saving the document in a format
   other than the current version of Word will result in the loss of this
   protection. Do you want to continue?

To find Microsoft Word File Sharing Options, click Save As on the File menu and then click Options.

The following File Sharing Options are available:

• Password To Open
• Password To Modify
• Read-Only Recommended

Password To Open

If you type a Password To Open, Word will only open the document as read- only when someone types the correct password. If you open a document as read-only and change it, you must save it again with a different name. If you forget or lose the password, you cannot open your document.

A password is case-sensitive and can contain up to 15 characters, including letters, numerals, and symbols.

Password To Modify

If you type a Password To Modify, Word will only open the document for editing when a user types the correct password. If you forget or lose the password, you can only open your document as read-only.

Read-Only Recommended

When Word opens the file, it displays a recommendation that others open the document as read-only. If you open the document as read-only and change it, you must save it again with a different name. You can select the Read-Only Recommended check box without setting any passwords.

NOTE: When you convert a Microsoft Word 97 document to Word 6.x or Word 7.0 format, all document protection is lost. For additional information on conversion limitations from Word 97 to Word 6.x or Word 7.0, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q157088
   TITLE     : WD97: Limitations Converting Documents from Word 97
               to 6.x/95

REFERENCES

For additional information on the Word 6.0/95 File Format and Password Protection, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q162602
   TITLE     : WD97: Questions About Saving in the Word 6.0/95 File Format

   ARTICLE-ID: Q143480
   TITLE     : WD97: Updated Word 6.0/95 Export Converter Available

   ARTICLE-ID: Q168098
   TITLE     : WD: Word Cannot Convert Password Protected Documents

   ARTICLE-ID: Q110109
   TITLE     : WD: Password Protection Lost When Saving as Previous 
               Versions 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q179664
   TITLE     : WD98: File Sharing Options Are Ignored