PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

If you see text in a banner that warns you the file is read-only, the original author marked it as final and discourages editing. This wikiHow will teach you how to unlock a read-only PowerPoint manually. Otherwise, you can click Edit Anyway within the banner.

  1. You can open PowerPoint from your Start menu or Applications folder, then open the project by going to File > Open . On the other hand, you can also right-click the file in either your file manager or Finder and select Open with > PowerPoint .
  2. You'll see this in the editing ribbon above the document space with Animations and Home .
    Advertisement
  3. You'll see this with an icon of a lock to the right of the Info menu.
    • A menu will drop down from the lock icon.
  4. Clicking here will undo the lock and remove the presentation protection.
    • The "Read-Only" text is gone from the title and the yellow banner will disappear, which means you can edit the PowerPoint. [1]
    • To return the file to read-only, repeat the process to select "Mark as Final."
  5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open the PowerPoint project.
      2. Click the File tab.
      3. Click Protect Presentation.
      4. Click Mark as Final .

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 20,980 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement