Buzz
Thank you for reaching out to us. The inability to open and edit an Excel file copied from a friend's computer while using Office 2016 is a common issue. It's often due to a lack of understanding of the Protected View feature.
Firstly, I'd like to clarify that this isn't a flaw in your Office 2016 installation, so there's no need to reinstall or switch versions. Protected View isn't exclusive to Office 2016; it's also present in previous versions like Office 2007, 2010, and 2013. Protected View is a unique feature from Microsoft designed to enhance file security when opening documents on unfamiliar computers. It helps prevent malicious code from damaging files. It's important to note that Protected View isn't password protection; it's about safeguarding files. To learn how to utilize this feature and address Excel editing issues like the one you're facing, please continue reading below.
GUIDE TO FIXING INABILITY TO EDIT WORD FILES WHEN OPENING WITH OFFICE 2016
Step 1: Open an Excel file in Protected View mode.
Step 2: Click on the File tab in the Menu bar.
Step 3: Within File, select Options.
Step 4: In Excel Options, locate the Trust Center section and click on Trust Center Settings.
Step 5: Within Trust Center Settings, you'll find a section labeled Protected View. If you prefer, disable all three options here, then click OK, exit the file, and reopen it as usual.
This completes the process of disabling Protected View in Excel for Office 2016. While it may remove inconvenience, we advise against completely disabling this feature as your files may be more susceptible to viruses in unfamiliar environments or on older computers. Additionally, to enhance your Excel proficiency, consider learning about Excel shortcuts. Mastering Excel shortcuts can significantly save you time.
