Protecting Documents in Writer

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Foreword

The video "Protecting Documents" links to this page here, which contains further information.

It gives an overview of the different methods how to protect content in LibreOffice from viewing, deleting or unwanted changes.

This description refers exemplarily to Writer in LibreOffice.

The content of this page is derived from the help system of LibreOffice.

Link to the Video

Link to the Video (in German [DE]):

Dokumente schützen in Writer - LibreOffice

Save documents protected

All documents in OpenDocument format can be saved with a password.

Documents saved with a password can no longer be opened without this password.

The content is encrypted in such a way that it can no longer be read even with an external editor.

This applies to content, graphics and OLE objects.

Switch on protection

Choose File ▸ Save as… from the menu.

In the "Save As" dialog, enter a file name and check mark "Save with password".

Click Save.

In the "Set Password" dialog, enter a password and confirm it.

Click OK.

• 

  "Save As" dialog-"Save with password" - Protect ON

• 

  "Set Passwort" dialog - Protect ON

Warning: If a password has been specified, the file can only be opened with this password. If you lose the password, there is no way to recover the document. Also note that the password is case sensitive.

Switch off protection

Open the document and enter the correct password.

In the menu File ▸ Save as…, uncheck "Save with password" and Save.

• 

  "Enter Password" dialog - Protect OFF

• 

  "Save As" dialog"-"Save with(out) password" - Protect OFF

Note: The information under File ▸ Properties… is not encrypted. This is the name of the author, the date of creation, the number of words and characters.

Protect changes (revision function)

The revision function records the author of every single change made in LibreOffice Calc and LibreOffice Writer.

This function can be protected at power-up so that it can only be deactivated again by entering the correct password.

As long as this is not done, the changes will continue to be recorded.

Accepting or discarding changes is not possible in the protected state.

Switch on protection

Choose in the menu Edit ▸ Track Changes ▸ Protect….

Now in the "Enter Password" dialog you enter Password and confirm it and click OK.

• 

  "Enter Password" dialog - Track Changes - Protect ON

Switch off protection

Choose in the menu Edit ▸ Track Changes ▸ Protect….

Now in the "Enter Password" dialog give the right Password and click OK.

• 

  "Enter Password" dialog - Track Changes - Protect OFF

Protect frames, images and OLE objects

You can protect the content, position and size.

This applies to:

• Frames
• Images
• OLE objects.

Switch on protection

You can switch ON protection separately for an image, a frame or an object.

Select the object by clicking on it with the left mouse button.

Then select Format ▸ ... from the menu and
… ▸ Image ▸ … for an image (graphic) or
… ▸ Frame and Object ▸ … for a frame or an object and then
… ▸ Properties….

The corresponding dialog opens:

• 

  "Image" dialog

• 

  "Frame" dialog

• 

  "OLE-Object" dialog

In each case you can set a check mark in the "Options" tab for "Content", "Position" and/or "Size".

Switch off protection

You can switch off the protection separately for a picture, a frame or an object.

Select the object by clicking on it with the left mouse button.

Then select Format ▸ … from the menu and
… ▸ Image ▸ … for an image (graphic) or
… ▸ Frame and Object ▸ … for a frame or an object and then
… ▸ Properties….

The corresponding dialog opens:

• 

  "Image" dialog

• 

  "Frame" dialog

• 

  "OLE-Object" dialog

In each case, in the "Options" tab, you can remove a set tick, for "Content", "Position" and/or "Size".

Protect Drawing shapes, Text Boxes and Form controls

The Drawing shapes that you insert into a Document using the Drawing toolbar.

Text Boxes that you insert into a Document using the Standard toolbar.

Form Controlsthat you insert into a Document using the Form Controls toolbar.

The Objects can be protected against accidental moving and resizing.

Switch on protection

Activate the protection Format ▸ Text Box and Shape ▸ Position and Size… via menu - "Position and Size" tab.

Activate the "Position" or "Size" check box.

• 

  "Position and Size" dialog - Protect

Switch off protection

Switch off the protection via menu Format ▸ Text Box and Shape ▸ Position and Size - "Position and Size" tab.

Deactivate the "Position" or "Size" check box.

• 

  "Position and Size" dialog - Protect

Protect Table cells

You can protect Table cells of Tables inserted in Writer.

Tables are inserted from the Table ▸ Insert Table… menu.

Select the Cells of the Table you want to protect.

Choose Table ▸ Protect Cells… from the menu.

The selected Cells are now protected against overwriting.

Attempts to enter data into these cells will generate a message "Write-protected content…".

• 

  "Read-Only Content" dialog

Select Table ▸ Protect Cells from the menu to remove the protection.

Further Informations

Work file

Anleitung für die Formularsuche für eine Steuererklärung.odt

Documentation / Manuals

Here you will find the Documentation / Manuals:

Documentation / Manuals

Any questions?

For questions on this topic go to:

Ask.LibreOffice

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