Create a read only file

How to create a read only file?
How to make a file read only?
How to make a read only file read write?

By default, all files created and opened in Microsoft Excel are read write files. This applies not only to Microsoft Excel but almost all other applications. Also, a file cannot be created read only just because if you create a read only file you can never edit it. But you can make a file read only so that others don't tamper with it.

To make a Excel file read only (Microsoft Excel 2003),

• Goto Tools ->Options->Security (The Tools menu in the worksheet menu bar)
  
• Check the READ-ONLY RECOMMENDED box.

This would make your file read only and when the file is opened, it would prompt you with the message box whether you want the file to be opened in read only mode or not. If you click YES, the file would open in read only mode. If you click NO, the file would open in read write mode and you can save your changes.

For Microsoft Excel 2000 and other previous versions

• Goto File->Save As
• Click the TOOLS button on the right corner and select GENERAL OPTIONS
• Now check the READ-ONLY RECOMMENDED box.

This works well in Microsoft Excel 2003 also.

The above option, though making the file read only, gives the user the option to edit it. So even if an user unknowingly presses the NO button , when prompted for read only opening, he may still be able to edit the file. If you want to prevent this then,

• Navigate to your file through Windows Explorer or the File Open Box and select it.
  
• RIGHT CLICK and select PROPERTIES
• Check the READ ONLY box.

This always open the file read only and even if you already made your file read only, by using the first option, this overrides it since this function is part of the operating system rather than the application. To make the file read write again, just uncheck the READ ONLY box.