Fix Password-Protected Excel Workbook Not Showing Read-Only Status in WPS Office
Question details
The user needs a password-protected Excel workbook to clearly indicate read-only status before editing instead of only alerting them when they try to save.
- Product
- WPS Office Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user opens a password-protected Excel workbook and expects to see a read-only warning or status before making edits.
- Observed behavior
- The workbook opens without indicating read-only status, and the user is not warned until attempting to save changes.
Make sure you can open the password-protected workbook and that you have the password required to modify it. If the file is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, open it locally in WPS Office Spreadsheets so you can check the workbook save settings.
Enable Read-only Recommended in WPS Spreadsheets Save Options
Use this solution when the workbook opens without showing read-only status and you want the read-only recommendation to appear each time the file is opened.
The Read-only recommended option is stored in the workbook save settings. When it is enabled, WPS Office Spreadsheets asks whether to open the file as read-only before users begin editing.
Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets, click File > Save As, and choose the location where you want to save the file.
In the Save As dialog, click the Tools drop-down and select General Options.
Type the password to open and/or the password to modify as needed, check the 'Read-only recommended' checkbox, and click OK.
Click Save to store the setting. Close and reopen the workbook to confirm that the read-only prompt now appears before editing.
Test with a New Workbook and Check the File Location
Use this solution to isolate whether the missing read-only status is limited to one file, a specific Excel version, or an online storage location such as OneDrive or SharePoint.
Make Password-Protected Excel Workbooks Show Read-Only Status with WPS Office
Use WPS Office Spreadsheets to enable the Read-only recommended option in the workbook save settings, so users are warned before editing and can choose to open the file as read-only.
- 1. Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office and open the password-protected Excel workbook you want to update.
- 2. Go to File > Save As: Select File > Save As and choose the folder or location where the workbook will be saved.
- 3. Open Tools > General Options: In the Save As dialog, click Tools and select General Options.
- 4. Set passwords and Read-only recommended: Enter the workbook passwords if needed, check 'Read-only recommended', and click OK.
- 5. Save and verify the prompt: Click Save, reopen the workbook, and confirm that the read-only prompt appears before editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my password-protected Excel workbook not show read-only status until I save?
The workbook likely does not have the 'Read-only recommended' option enabled. In WPS Office Spreadsheets, open File > Save As > Tools > General Options, enter the passwords, and check 'Read-only recommended'. If the file is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, the service may also influence read-only behavior.
How do I enable read-only recommended in WPS Office Spreadsheets?
Open the workbook, click File > Save As, choose the save location, click Tools > General Options, enter the password to open or modify, check 'Read-only recommended', click OK, and save the file.
Can WPS Office open and save password-protected Excel workbooks?
Yes. WPS Office Spreadsheets supports .xlsx workbooks and password-protected files, and you can set open and modify passwords from the Save As dialog.
Where is the Tools option in the WPS Save As dialog?
The Tools option is available inside the Save As dialog. Depending on your WPS Office version, it appears as a Tools button or drop-down near the Save and Cancel buttons; select General Options from it.
Why should I test with a new workbook?
Testing with a new workbook helps determine whether the read-only issue is specific to one file or related to the Excel version or storage location. If the new workbook shows the prompt, review the original file's save settings and its OneDrive, SharePoint, or network location.
