Read only doc (work, office XP)

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I have a document that I want to send out, but I do not want the reader to be able to modify it. I know that I can go into properties of the document and change the attributes to read only. However, when I do this the reader can change the document and then save it under a different name and it will change the document that is saved under a different name. Any suggestions on how I can send out this document and make sure that the reader can’t change it’s contents regardless if it is saved under a different name is appreciated. The document contains pricing information. Thanks, John

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There is no safe way you can do this with a Word document, as far as I know. A PDF document with the ability to select and copy text disabled might be a better bet, but even then, the recipient can print the document, scan it and run it through OCR software.

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There is no safe way you can do this with a Word document, as far as I know. A PDF document with the ability to select and copy text disabled might be a better bet, but even then, the recipient can print the document, scan it and run it through OCR software.

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This is an almost impossible task. Even if you print the document and send them a hard copy you can’t stop them scanning your graphics and re-typing the text!

Depending on how the document is to be used you may feel that sending a password protected Adobe Acrobat document is good enough. Another possible tactic is to use a Digital Signature and ensure that you make it clear that the valid price list is the one carrying your authenticated digital signature.

regards,

StuartR

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This is an almost impossible task. Even if you print the document and send them a hard copy you can’t stop them scanning your graphics and re-typing the text!

Depending on how the document is to be used you may feel that sending a password protected Adobe Acrobat document is good enough. Another possible tactic is to use a Digital Signature and ensure that you make it clear that the valid price list is the one carrying your authenticated digital signature.

regards,

StuartR

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How about protecting the document as a FORM, but with no form fields. Use a password, of course!

Errol

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A clever thought, but as Stuart and I remarked, the recipient can still print and retype, or print, scan and OCR the document.

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A clever thought, but as Stuart and I remarked, the recipient can still print and retype, or print, scan and OCR the document.

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FYI, Word only uses robust passwords for opening the document; the others don’t provide much protection.

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FYI, Word only uses robust passwords for opening the document; the others don’t provide much protection.

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How about protecting the document as a FORM, but with no form fields. Use a password, of course!

Errol

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