Word has a feature called ‘Editing Restrictions’ that helps such writers restrict unnecessary editing & formatting by proof-readers to their documents.
Editing Restrictions in Microsoft Word
Open the document for which you would like to set editing restrictions and choose the ‘Review’ tab, placed on the ribbon interface.
Next, from the ‘Protect’ section, select ‘Restrict Editing’ option. Once selected, you will be in the editing restriction area. From here you can provide options for setting editing restrictions.
Just under the heading that reads as ‘Editing Restrictions’, check the box adjacent to the following option – ‘Allow only this type of editing in the document’.
Here you can set the formatting restrictions as well for the document. However, these restrictions aren’t that important. So, you can leave the options in as-it-is state. When done, click on the drop-down arrow and from the list of options displayed, choose the desired option. If you would not like to allow others to make any changes to your document, you can go for the ‘No changes’ (Read only mode). Still, many prefer choosing the ‘Comments’ option as it does not allow the reader to make changes to your documents but suggests some changes via comments, if required.
Next, if you are ready to apply the chosen settings, click on ‘Yes, Start Enforcing Protection’ button and wait for few seconds.
A small ‘Start Enforcing Protection’ window will appear on your computer screen, offering you the option to password protect the Restriction on the document.
That’s it! With these settings in place, a proof-reader will invariably have permission to leave comments and recommendations, but any attempts of introducing direct changes in the document will fail.
