Unable to unprotect document

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jason
  • Start date Start date
J

Jason

I created a document with 10 "TextBoxes" in an attempt to
create a form. Once I was happy with the form, I
protected the document as "Form" without a password just
to test it.
After reopening the document I don't have access to
TextBoxes (to put text in them) and I cannot unprotect
the document (Option greyed out)

It seems I'm still in "Design View" but that option to
change to Normal View is also greyed out. I tried this
with a test document containing 3 text boxes and the same
thing occured. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks
 
Anyway to get access to the document at this point so I
don't have to retype all the text?
Thanks
 
There should be a "Design View" toolbar open (might be towards the bottom
right of your screen). Click the little protractor (Exit Design Mode). If
you don't see the toolbar, right-click your toolbar area and make sure there
is a check next to the Control Toolbox. Click the top left icon to exit
design view. Does that work?
 
Bill,
The "Exit Design View" is greyed out... Only "View
Properties" and "View Code" are available on the control
toolbar
 
This is a new one to me. What version are you using? If it is Office 2003
have you installed the latest service pack?
 
I'm using Office 2000 on Windows XP OS with the latest
updates on both. I'll be happy to send you the file if
you can provide me with an address.
Thanks for the help
 
Hi Jason,

The problem is that your macro security is set to "High".
The control toolbox controls trigger macro security.

Set this to "Medium" (Tools/Macro/Security) and you can open
the document and unprotect it.

You then need to
- delete the text boxes
- open a new document
- copy the text - WITHOUT the last paragraph mark - to
the new document
- recreate the page setup, headers, footers, etc.
- use the Forms toolbar to insert the textboxes
- protect as a form

The reason you have to create a new document is that, once
things that trigger macro security have been stored in a
document, the document will always trigger security.
I created a document with 10 "TextBoxes" in an attempt to
create a form. Once I was happy with the form, I
protected the document as "Form" without a password just
to test it.
After reopening the document I don't have access to
TextBoxes (to put text in them) and I cannot unprotect
the document (Option greyed out)

It seems I'm still in "Design View" but that option to
change to Normal View is also greyed out. I tried this
with a test document containing 3 text boxes and the same
thing occured. What am I doing wrong?
Click to expand...

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun
8 2004)
http://www.word.mvps.org

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any
follow question or reply in the newsgroup and not by e-mail
:-)
 
The solution to the problem is that you have to
attach a digital signature to your macro project.

Tools > Macros > Visual Basic Editor > Tools > Digital Signature

If you don't have a Digital Signature, no problem:
Every copy of Windows comes with the file SELFCERT.EXE
with which you can create a self-signed digital signature.

Create one, attach it to your document, save it. All is well.

This functionality kinda makes sense. So while in another
post I lambasted MS for this non-bug, I see the method in
their madness. So, apologies to MS.

I think the reasoning behind this is that your custom macros
are untrusted and are being deactivated in a quiet way,
regardless of your security settings.

I've yet to see this solution posted anywhere, so spread
the word....well, not THE Word, just the word.

Take courage,
Aaron
 
Back
Top