Word files open as read only

[Rasmussens]

I have a MacBook Air 2017, updated to the latest IOS, I recently downloaded Office 365 but when I open word files from my memory stick they are read only and I am prompted to save using the duplicate tab. The files are not locked and I have check permissions, all is correct and I can open a new word file and edit & save ok. The word files were originally created on a windows laptop. Any suggestions before I reinstall office 365.

Thanks Ras

 

[jamietshaw]

Is it anything to do with opening a document created in a previous version of Word, and thus Word is deciding to make it read-only to force you to save as a new version? I think I had that the other day, between two versions (both in Windows as it happens).

Is the memory stick writable – can you save to it?

 

[Rasmussens]

I use 365 at work and save to the same memory stick

 

[DeltaMac]

I suspect that your memory stick (used on Windows) is formatted NTFS, which is fine on Windows, but files on that stick used with your Mac will be read-only, as the maCOS system does not have write access on a default system. You can download drivers to allow writing files, such as NTFS-3G, or other Tuxera drivers

Open source NTFS-3G, Reliance Edge, TUFS, POSIX, other contributions

Tuxera's open-source projects include NTFS-3G and open-source Reliance Edge file systems. We contribute to POSIX, TUFS, Linux kernel, & more.

www.tuxera.com

 

[jamietshaw]

Can you save to the memory stick from your Mac, though? I’m just wondering what format the memory stick is in – it might be in a Windows-specific format that your Mac can only read but not write to.

 

[Rasmussens]

Can I format a memory stick to use on both

 

[DeltaMac]

Can I format a memory stick to use on both

Yes, format as fat32, or Exfat.
Or, get the NTFS drivers. You wouldn't need to erase your memory stick then.

 

[HDFan]

You can download drivers to allow writing files, such as NTFS-3G, or other Tuxera drivers

Or Paragon NTFS for Mac.