Open File As Read Only in Excel

To discourage users from making any changes to a macro file you can have the file recommend Read-Only when it’s opened.

Open as Read Only

To show this pop-up box when the file opens:

  • Choose File > Save As
  • Select Tools > General Options (on the Save As dialog box)
  • Check the box for Read-only recommended
  • Click OK
  • Name the file and click Save

General Save Options

If you select Yes to “Open as Read-only?” and try to save the file you get a pop-up screen asking you to give the workbook a new name in the Save As dialog box.

Read Only Save As

Of course, selecting No to “Open as Read-only?” will give any user the the ability to make changes to the file.

This is one Excel option to use to avoid unnecessary changes to any file.