Word 2016 – How to restrict/un-restrict formatting changes

Microsoft Word has the ability to restrict a document so only existing styles can be applied to content – with no specific formatting like “bold”.

The steps below show how to enable and disable it.

How to enable formatting restriction in Microsoft Word

1. With the document open, open the ‘Review’ ribbon
2. Click on ‘Protect’ then ‘Protect Editing’
3. 
4. The Restrict Editing pane will open to the right
5. Under ‘Formatting restrictions’ click ‘Limit formatting to a selection of style’
6. Under ‘Start enforcement’ click ‘Yes, Start Enforcing Protection’
7. 
8. A window will appear where you can choose to restrict with a password. This password is required to disable the formatting restriction.

How to disable formatting restriction in Microsoft Word

1. With the document open, open the ‘Review’ ribbon
2. Click on ‘Protect’ then ‘Protect Editing’
3. 
4. The Restrict Editing pane will open to the right
5. At the bottom click ‘Stop Protection’
6. If a password was set it will now need to be entered
7. Under ‘Formatting restrictions’ un-tick ‘Limit formatting to a selection of style’
8. 

Reference: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/allow-changes-to-parts-of-a-protected-document-187ed01c-8795-43e1-9fd0-c9fca419dadf