how to unlock a word and excel document on laptop

rev229

My son has managed to lock both excel and word documents on his laptop. He was doing some homework and can no longer add to it ie the keyboard seems lock a message at the bottom of the compuer say document is locked can anybody help us. Thankyou

theboylard

Not sure whetehr you mean protected or locked - two different things.
If a document (excel or word etc) is locked, then it usually means it's being used by another programme or there is another instance of the document open.
Have a look at process manager to see if there is a hidden instance of the application running?

Protected docs usually are password protected, easy to crack with the right tools. PM me if you need help on this.

hapless

davb

If this only happens on a couple of files, try opening that file and clicking on Tools >Unprotect Document.

If all new and existing documents are locked for editing, then it's probably because you have not activated your Word/Office software, or because you have an expired trial version of Office.
What happens if you click on Help >Activate Product?

It may just need activating, but if it is an expired trial (which often ship with new PC's), then you would have to purchase a full licence - or use OpenOffice - or use the Office 2010 beta.

ckerrd

I hope the OP hasn't been stuck with this problem for nearly 3 years.........

Look at the date of the OP.:rolleyes:

davb

ckerrd wrote: »

I hope the OP hasn't been stuck with this problem for nearly 3 years.........

Look at the date of the OP.:rolleyes:

Nice one
Didn't notice that, not sure why kevin88 has resurrected such an old post.

CHR15

There's been a few new joiners recently dragging up really old random posts.

I think there is something sinister under foot!!

spud17

CHR15 wrote: »

There's been a few new joiners recently dragging up really old random posts.

I think there is something sinister under foot!!

Very true, it does seem to go in waves, and in particular at this time of year.