Why Are Excel Documents Opening as Read Only

'Excel cannot open up read-only documents' is an error message that ordinarily appears when you attempt to open an Excel (XLS orXLSX) file downloaded from the Internet, email, or the network server. Information technology may also appear when y'all effort to open an encrypted or password-protected Excel document. In such a case, MS Excel prevents the user from making any changes to the document.

Reasons backside the "Excel cannot admission 'xxx.xls.' The Document may be read-only or encrypted" Error

There could be several reasons that may cause the error. Some of them are equally follows:

1. Decadent or damaged Excel workbook
2. Incompatible or unsupported add together-in
3. Antivirus or malware software conflict
4. Read-Only Excel file
5. The file is encrypted
6. File or drive read/write permissions issues
7. Protected Excel workbook
8. Damaged or missing MS Office (MS Excel) program files

Solutions to Open and Edit Read-Merely Excel Documents

Below are a few solutions that can assistance yous fix the 'Excel cannot access 'xxx.xls.' The Certificate may be read-simply or encrypted' mistake and allow you to open and edit Excel documents.

• Remove Read-merely Attribute from Excel File Properties

The 'Excel cannot open up read-only documents' error message may appear when the Excel file holding is set to read-only. To check if this is the instance, follow these steps:

• Correct-click on the particular Excel (xls/xlsx) document and select 'Backdrop'.
  • Uncheck the 'Read-only' aspect and so click the 'OK' button.

Now try to open the Excel certificate and cheque if the problem is fixed.

• Adjust Antivirus Settings

A few antivirus programs block Excel files and other Function documents by opening those in 'read-but' fashion. In such cases, effort adjusting the antivirus settings to open the Excel files normally. This will allow you to edit, modify, and save the Excel workbook without encountering the "Excel cannot access 'xxx.xls.' The Document may be a read-merely or encrypted" fault message.

• Disable Protected-View

The error may appear when you try to open up an Excel file received as email attachments or downloaded from unsafe source. The file may potentially contain viruses, worms, or other types of malware that could damage the system or the server.

To safeguard the system, MS Excel opens such files in Protected View. It may besides open an Excel workbook in Protected Mode when it detects a trouble with the file. This security feature allows y'all to read or view Excel files and reduces the risks to the computer organization or PC.

Even so, you lot tin can click File > Info and then click 'Edit Anyhow' to admission and edit file content. You may also disable the Protected View setting via File > Options > Trust Centre > Trust Centre Settings…> Protected View. However, nosotros exercise not recommend this.

• Renew/Activate Microsoft Office

If MS Office is in a deactivated state or its subscription has expired, the Function documents, including the Excel, could be in 'read-but reduced functionality style.'

In such a scenario, activate Microsoft Office or renew the Part subscription. So open up the Excel workbook and check if the problem of 'Excel cannot open read-only documents' is resolved.

• Check if OneDrive Storage is Total

If Excel files are saved on OneDrive with low or no storage infinite, you may meet such issues with your files.

To know the amount of free infinite on OneDrive, follow these steps:

• On your PC, open Settings and navigate to OneDrive.
  • Click 'Sync Settings > File Storage' to see available space.

You may as well visit http://onedrive.alive.com, sign in to the account, and so check the available space. If in that location'due south no infinite available or the drive is full, empty the storage space and encounter if the trouble is resolved.

• Check and Update MS Office and Windows

Microsoft releases updates to fix known errors. Thus, it is critical to update both Windows and MS Part to the latest release and avoid issues, such every bit 'Excel cannot access 'xxx.xls.' The Document may be read-merely or encrypted.'

• Repair MS Part (MS Excel)

The error 'Excel cannot open up read-just documents' may appear due to a trouble with your MS Office (MS Excel) plan. You can repair the MS Office program to resolve such errors. The steps are as follows:

• Open up Control Panel and click Uninstall a Programme link under Programs.
• Choose Microsoft Office from the listing and click the Change push.

• Select Quick Repair and and then click Repair to set problems with MS Office and MS Excel. Information technology volition likewise restore any missing or damaged program files.

After the Repair, open the Excel workbook and check if the error is resolved.

• Check Permissions

The error message may also appear if you access an Excel workbook from a network or shared drive due to lack of write permission. Make sure you have read and write permissions assigned for the particular network drive. Alternatively, you tin copy the file from the network drive and save it in your local folder to admission and edit it without encountering this error bulletin.

• Repair MS Excel File

If none of the solutions worked, the Excel workbook could be damaged or decadent. To repair such damaged Excel workbook or spreadsheet, you can use the inbuilt 'Open up and Repair…' option in MS Excel or install anExcel repair software, such equally Stellar Repair for Excel. The software comes in handy when the Open up and Repair option fails to fix the Excel workbook issues. Information technology repairs the corrupt or damaged Excel workbook, extracts all components and content from the file with 100% integrity, and saves them in a new Excel workbook.

Conclusion

Sometimes, the 'Excel cannot open read-only documents' error can exist resolved past a simple restart. But if it doesn't work, you tin follow the solutions discussed in this commodity to resolve the 'Excel cannot open up read-only documents' issue.  Withal, if the effect is caused due to a damaged or corrupt Excel workbook, these methods may not work. In such a instance, you can use Excel'southward inbuilt repair utility, i.east., Open and Repair, or install Stellar Repair for Excel software recommended byMVPs andindustry experts to fix all kinds of issues with MS Excel workbooks.

haysinclaboy.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.stellarinfo.com/article/excel-cannot-open-read-only-document.php