Excel opens in „read-only“ mode — why, and how to fix it

Excel opens the workbook marked “Read-Only” and will not let you type anything. If only this one file is locked, the fix is free and takes a minute; if every file, even a new blank one, opens this way, Office is not activated and you need a valid licence.

A 20-second check: is it the file or Office?

Open a new blank workbook in Excel and try typing something.

• The new workbook cannot be edited either → the cause is the licence. Go straight to “When the cause is the licence”.
• The new workbook works normally → the cause is that particular file. See the five possibilities below.

A second confirmation: File → Account. It shows which version of Office is installed and whether it is activated.

When the cause is the file (free fix)

1. The file is marked “read-only” in Windows

Close Excel. Find the file, right-click → Properties. At the bottom, clear the “Read-only” tick box → Apply.

2. The file was downloaded from the internet or received by email

Office opens such files in Protected View. A yellow bar appears at the top with an “Enable Editing” button. Click it, but only if you trust the source.

3. Someone else has the file open

If the file is in a shared folder or in OneDrive and someone else has already opened it, you get a read-only copy. Excel usually shows who is holding it. Wait, or ask your colleague to close the file.

4. The author has applied protection

The workbook may be password-protected or saved with an “open as read-only” recommendation. Check under Review → Protect Sheet / Protect Workbook. There is no way around this without the password, so ask the author for it.

5. You do not have rights to the folder

The file is on a network drive or in a system folder. Copy it into “Documents” and open it from there.

When the cause is the licence

If every file, including a new blank one, opens read-only, Office is running in reduced functionality mode: you can read and print, but not edit or save. There are three causes:

• An expired Microsoft 365 subscription. Once it expires, Office switches to read-only mode. The options are described in the article the Office licence has expired.
• An expired trial version on a new laptop — what to do.
• Office not activated — a red “Product not activated” bar sits at the top. The causes and fixes are here.

In all three cases no setting will help: Excel only allows editing once it is activated with a valid licence. If you do not want a subscription, a perpetual licence is paid for once and stays yours, with no monthly fees.

If you already have a key but have not entered it

1. Open Excel → File → Account → Change product key.
2. Enter the 25-character code and click Activate.
3. Close Excel and open it again.

If you get an error, work through the seven reasons a key does not work — most often the edition does not match or an old installation has been left behind.

Which licence to choose

For most people the right choice is Office 2021 Pro Plus: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook for one computer, with a one-time payment. If you are looking for a more affordable option, there are also Office 2019 and Office 2016. The key arrives by email within 15 minutes during working hours, together with an invoice. Activation goes through Microsoft's official servers, and if there is an activation problem we replace the key free of charge or refund you. You also get a 2-year statutory guarantee of conformity.

Not sure which cause is yours? Send a screenshot to info@litsenzi.bg — we reply every day from 09:00 to 20:00.