How to Prevent Users from Editing or Saving a Read-Only Excel File in WPS Office
Question details
The user needs to restrict edits to an Excel workbook shared through OneDrive so that viewers must enter a password before they can modify or save changes.
- Product
- WPS Office Spreadsheet / Microsoft Excel workbook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The workbook is shared through OneDrive and the owner wants read-only distribution while allowing only authorized users to edit separate copies.
- Observed behavior
- The file opens read-only, but users can still click Edit Anyway and modify or save the original unless a password to modify is enabled.
Open the workbook in WPS Spreadsheet or Microsoft Excel and make sure you can access the Save As dialog. If the file is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, use the desktop application rather than the web viewer so that Tools > General Options is available.
Require a Password Before Users Can Modify an Excel Workbook
Use this solution to keep the workbook viewable while preventing edits and saves unless the user enters a modify password.
The password-to-modify setting is stored in the workbook and works when you save in the Excel .xlsx format. For stronger protection, combine it with view-only sharing permissions.
Open the workbook in WPS Spreadsheet, click the File menu, and select Save As. Choose the Excel Workbook (.xlsx) format and click Tools > General Options in the Save As dialog.
In General Options, type a password in the Password to modify box, click OK, and confirm the password when prompted. Keep this password different from the Password to open field so viewing is still allowed.
Click Save to overwrite the existing file or save it as a new file name, then share that saved file through your cloud folder, OneDrive, or SharePoint with view permissions. Recipients must enter the modify password to edit or save.
Restrict OneDrive or SharePoint Edit Permissions
Use this solution when the workbook is shared through OneDrive or SharePoint and you want to control access at the sharing-link level.
Protect Specific Cells as an Additional Safeguard
Use this solution to limit which cells can be edited after users open the workbook, as a complement to password-to-modify protection.
Protect a Read-Only Excel Workbook with WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Spreadsheet can set a password to modify an Excel-compatible workbook, so only viewers who enter the password can change or save the original file. It keeps the familiar Save As workflow while producing a file that remains fully compatible with Microsoft Excel.
- 1. Open the workbook in WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open the .xlsx file you want to protect, or click File > Open to browse to the workbook.
- 2. Access Save As options: Click File > Save As, choose Excel Workbook (.xlsx) as the format, and then click Tools > General Options in the Save As dialog.
- 3. Set the modify password: Enter a password in the Password to modify field and confirm it. If you also want to prevent opening, set the Password to open field separately.
- 4. Save and distribute the protected file: Click OK, save the workbook, and share it through your cloud folder or file-sharing method. Users without the modify password will be unable to edit or save the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do users still see the Edit Anyway option on a read-only Excel file?
The Edit Anyway button appears when a file is marked Read-Only Recommended or is opened from a location that allows modification. To require a password before editing, use File > Save As > Tools > General Options and set the Password to modify field.
Can I hide the Edit Anyway button completely in Excel?
There is no standard workbook setting that reliably hides Edit Anyway. The practical ways to prevent editing or saving are password-to-modify protection, view-only sharing permissions, and distributing separate copies for editors.
What is the difference between password to open and password to modify?
Password to open prevents the workbook from being opened at all. Password to modify allows users to open and read the file but requires a password before they can edit or save changes.
Does worksheet protection replace a password to modify?
No. Worksheet protection limits cell edits but is not strong security and can often be bypassed by users with file access. For sensitive files, use a workbook-level modify password and restrict sharing permissions.
Can WPS Spreadsheet set a password to modify on an Excel file?
Yes. Open the .xlsx file in WPS Spreadsheet, click File > Save As, choose the Excel Workbook format, and select Tools > General Options to set the Password to modify field.
