Prevent users from altering your Word document formatting

Have you ever e-mailed a Microsoft Word document to a group
for comments only to get it back reformatted with different styles and page
formats? This can be a real nuisance.

With earlier releases of Word, you had no choice but to go
back in and reformat the document. However, with Word 2003’s Protect Document
feature, you can lock all formatting options in your document so that your
reviewers can enter comments without touching the format.

Follow these steps to utilize Word’s Protect Document
feature:

1. Go to
   Tools | Protect Document.
2. Under
   item number 1, Formatting restrictions, select the Limit Formatting To A Selection Of Styles check box. Now click the
   Settings link below this check box.
3. Click
   the None button and then click OK.
4. Under
   item number 2, Editing restrictions, select the Allow Only This Type Of Editing In The Document check box.
5. In the
   drop down list box that appears, select Comments.
6. Under
   item number 3, Start enforcement, click the button that says Yes, Start
   Enforcing Protection.
7. Enter
   a password for non-encrypted documents.

To end document protection, click Stop Protection and enter
the password to remove restrictions.

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