My client has sent me "read only" files. I don't want these. I can convert them using ALT-SHFT-F11, but how can she make sure they are not read only in the first place? She has no idea how they got that way, neither do I.

She uses "Word 2003" she thinks, and is a real newbie at this.

All help appreciated.

Display Microsoft Visual Studio code: [Alt] [Shift] [F11]

In word, the shortcut you mentioned displays visual studio code. You can see a sample of this by clicking here.

What type of file are these? Does your client send you files from a CD or DVD? These may be in Read Only format by default.

This procedure makes a Word 2003 file as "Read Only".

1.Open the document that you want to mark as read-only.
2.From the File menu, click Save as.
3.Within the Save As dialog box, click Security Options from the Tools menu.
4.The Password to Modify window will appear. Enter a password to secure the document.
5.Re-enter the password when prompted.
6.Click OK.
7.Click Save.

If you client has this option selected, changing the setting (un-checking the read only option) should correct the problem.

I hope this helps,
Dwight

Thank you very much, Dwight, but it didn't help. No, her files are not from a CD or...

My client is not super-knowledgeable about computers (well, neither am I, or I wouldn't be here) but she loves to track changes in Word. She denies she has done anything to make these files read-only, so I suspect track changes automatically saves files that way. I have asked her with a big smile (and teeth gritted) not to use track changes. We'll see if that helps.

I did not get any notification of your answer.

I sent her what you wrote, Dwight, but she is still sending me read-only files. I need to get this resolved. Do you have any other ideas?

Is this something that I could communicate directly with her? Either email or via telephone would work I think.
Dwight

Dwight, I have now finished my work for her for the moment, but if and when we start up again, I will certainly suggest it.

Thank you!