How to turn off the reviewing, editing, and view feature?

Anonymous
2022-09-01T19:39:16+00:00

Since the reviewing, editing, and viewing feature I cannot copy and paste from a read only document. I have to gain access to even copy and paste. My job requires me to copy and paste from upwards of 10 documents. Since word won't let me copy and paste from a read-only or viewing document I have to check them out of our SVN every time. Does anyone know how to turn this feature off and go back to the original word?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | Other | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-10-12T15:17:59+00:00

    Thanks! This fixed one customer site. The other was an issue with their profile. Create a new profile for them and they were good. Thanks again!

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-10-13T21:56:57+00:00

    I think the bug might be fixed now. I am able to copy from a 'viewing' only document for the first time today since posting this. Can others now copy and paste from a 'viewing' only doc?

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-10-31T11:40:33+00:00

    In the latest versions of Word for Microsoft 365 (e.g. ver. 2210, Build 16.0.15726.20070, Current Chanel) we noticed a similar problem when opening read-only document - in that case the Word automatically sets the Viewing mode, which means that you cannot make any changes in the document.

    In previous versions of Word, when you open a read-only document, you are allowed to make changes in the document. Of course, if you want to keep the changes, you have to save the document in a new file.

    Our users would like to have the previous behaviour regarding opening read-only documents but it seems there is no way to turn off the editing/reviewing/viewing feature in Word.

    The strange thing is that although users have the same version of Word installed, some of them have the editing/reviewing/viewing feature turned on, while the other don't.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-10-31T13:08:56+00:00

    Yeah, Microsoft roll out features like this independent of the build number. It makes no sense. The feature is actually called Interactivity Mode.

    We've rolled back affected users to Semi-Annual Channel and, so far, this feature has not come back. I hope to god if it does, there is an option to disable it in Settings.

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-11-01T17:10:27+00:00

    Our law firm also uses text form fields to be filled in within the read only document which in turn allows a save as. With this new viewing only mode within readonly the form fields can't be filled in anymore either.

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