Microsoft Word Selection is Locked? Here’s How to Unlock It!

Having trouble editing your Microsoft Word document? Find out why selection is locked and learn how to quickly unlock it with this helpful guide!
Microsoft Word Selection is Locked? Here’s How to Unlock It!

Have you ever been working on a Microsoft Word document only to find that the selection is locked and none of your edits is going through? It’s an annoying problem, but luckily it can easily be fixed.

In this blog post, we’ll cover how to unlock your selection in Microsoft Word so you can get back to editing quickly and efficiently!

Keep reading for all the details about why this happens and how you can fix it.

You can't make this change because this seletion is locked

Why Is the Selection Locked in Microsoft Word?

The selection in Microsoft Word may be locked for several reasons. One possibility is that the document is marked as final, so you can’t make changes to it.

Another reason could be that the author of the document has set editing restrictions, preventing you from editing certain parts.

Further, the selection may be locked if you have an old version or if your current version needs an update.

How to Unlock Selection in Microsoft Word?

If you’re stuck with a “selection locked” issue in Microsoft Word, there are several ways to unlock it. Here are some of them:

Disable “Mark as Final”

“Mark as Final” is a feature in Microsoft Word that allows you to mark a document as final to indicate that it is complete and should not be edited further.

When a document is marked as final, it is displayed in read-only mode, and you can’t make any changes to it until it is unmarked.

Once you launch Microsoft Word, a yellow-highlighted message at the top of your screen labeled MARK AS FINAL will appear. Besides this, there is an Edit Anyway button; click it and voila! Your document will open in editable mode with no more selection-locked errors.

Edit anyway in word

Also Read: How to Edit A Read-only Word Document

Disable “Restrict Editing”

Microsoft Word’s “Restrict Editing” feature enables you to take charge of the editing capabilities in your documents.

You can determine which parts are allowed for modification and who is eligible to make these changes.

Further, you can set up a password shield so only approved individuals can modify them. To turn off this feature, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open the document and click the Review tab.

review tab in word

Step2. Select the Restrict Editing pane.

click restrict editing in word

Step 3. Click on the Stop Protection button. Now, your document is ready for modification.

click stop protection in word

Sometimes when you click the “Stop Protection” button, it asks you for a password; if this happens, enter the password, and you’ll be able to make changes again. If you don’t have the password, don’t worry; PassFab for Word is there to help.

ask for password in word

PassFab for Word is a software tool that provides password recovery for Microsoft Word documents. It is designed to help users who have lost or forgotten the password for their Word document and allows them to regain access to the document’s content.

With this powerful tool, you can quickly and easily unlock the selection in Microsoft Word documents that are protected by passwords.

Step 1. Get PassFab for Word below.

>> Get PassFab for Word <<

Step2. Start the program and select Remove Word Restrict Editing.

Word password recovery remove word restrict editing

Step 3. Drag and drop the protected document into the software’s window.

Word password recovery remove word restrict editing import file

Step 4. Click Remove. You will get your editable Word document in no time.

Word password recovery remove word restrict editing Successfully

Update to A New Microsoft Word Version

If you’re dealing with an old Word version, it may be time to update to a newer, supported version. This will help ensure that all the features in Microsoft Word are working correctly and give you access to new editing tools and templates.

To update your version, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open Word.

Step 2. Click the File tab and then select Account.

select account in word

Step 3. Click on the Office Updates drop-down menu, then choose Update Now.

click update now from office updates in word

Active Microsoft Office

When you get Microsoft Office, it typically offers a trial phase in which certain features are enabled that are not included in your package. When this trial phase ends, some of the features will become locked, including the selection.

To unlock the selection and gain full access to Microst Word features, you will need to activate your Microsoft Office subscription. Here is how to add your license key:

Step 1. Open Word and go to Account.

Step 2. Click the Change Product Key link.

change product key in word

Step3. Enter the product key, and you are ready to go!

enter your product key in word

Frequently Asked Questions About Microsoft Word Selection is Locked

How Do I Unlock Selection in Microsoft Word?

You can unlock the selection in Microsoft Word by disabling the “Mark as Final” and “Restrict Editing” features, updating to a newer version, and activating your Microsoft Office subscription.

What to Do if I Forget or Don’t Know My Microsoft Word Password?

You can use a powerful software tool such as Word Password Recovery to recover your lost or forgotten password. It will help you regain access to your document’s content in no time.

Can I Make Modifications to a Document Marked as Final?

Yes, you can. Just click on the “Edit Anyway” button next to the “Mark as Final” message when it appears at the top of your screen. This will open your document in editable mode and allow you to make any changes you need.

Conclusion

With these tips and tricks, you’ll easily take advantage of the powerful editing features in Microsoft Word.

Now, you can easily unlock selection and make the necessary changes, share your document with others safely, and keep track of all modifications made to your documents.

If you still have any doubts about unlocking the selection in Microsoft Word, don’t hesitate to leave a comment, and we will be happy to help.

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