How to edit a read-only document in LibreOffice?

Question

I need to fill a form (which I received in .doc format and saved as .odt). The file is read-only except for the fields where I can enter the information. Unfortunately, with the fields filled it doesn't fit on one page, and I need to edit it so I can print and submit it.

With LibreOffice beta 3, I could edit anything outside of the fields, and the fonts were slightly smaller, so it fit on the page even with the fields filled. Today I upgraded LibreOffice, and when I opened to edit a field where I had a mistake, it no longer fits on the page, and I can't edit it. When I opened the properties it says that the document is NOT read-only, but it is. When I try to delete text it tells me that I can't edit the read-only content.

Can anyone give me some advice, because I've been trying to print my form for 2 hours already.

I tried AbiWord and KWord, but both are missing elements from the page (though the forms fit). I can also edit the margins (Format -> Page is dimmed, but when I begin to edit a field it's no longer dimmed)med

gregn3 · Answer

None of these worked for me, and none of these either: https://ask.libreoffice.org/en/question/37966/read-only-content-cannot-be-changed-no-modifications-will-be-accepted/
Someone should write a crack for LibreOffice.

pX0r · Answer

I solved it by :

File -> Save a Copy...

Turns out the copy .doc file is not read-only.

Hope this helps!

Sonia Hamilton · Answer

Unfortunately I ended up using Word 2007 as I was unable to work out how to do this in LibreOffice.
Locked text like this can be due to Word "Forms". Copying from Unlocking Forms in Word 2007:

Go to the Quick Access Toolbar > More Commands > Commands not in the Ribbon - scroll down to Lock - add to your Quick Access Toolbar
and - amazing - the Padlock IS now available to use on a Fill-in Form just like in Word 2003 - just click to unlock and click again to re-lock your form!

elias · Answer

I was having a similar problem, trying to edit a .doc file, and activating "Design Mode On" didn't help it.

I was able to edit it only after saving it as a Word 97/2000/XP/2003 (.doc) and then doing a sequence of disabling and enabling again edit again, through clicking the button "Edit File" (in the default toolbar, sits at right of the Send Document as E-Mail).

Ulises E Erickson · Answer

You have to turn "Design mode On" in order to make changes on the document.

Enable the form toolbar through the option View -> Toolbars -> Form Design in the main menu, and the button for toggling design mode on/off appears.

How to edit a read-only document in LibreOffice?

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