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Office Tab: Lock or unlock documents while editing

Author Sun Last modified

Use Lock in Office Tab to prevent accidental changes or closure. When a tab is locked, Office Tab will warn you before saving or closing, so you can confirm or keep the file unchanged.

Office Tab Warning dialog

Lock a document/tab

Lock adds a protective confirmation when you try to save or close the file.

  1. Right-click the tab of the file you want to protect.
  2. Choose Lock from the context menu.

Lock from the context menu

After locking, a small lock icon appears on the tab.

A small lock icon appears on the tab

Tip: In the context menu, a check mark (√) beside Lock also indicates the tab is locked.
Check mark (√) beside Lock

Unlock a document/tab

You can end the locking status at any time.

  1. Right-click the locked tab.
  2. Choose Lock again to toggle it off.

Choose Lock again to unlock

What happens on Save / Close (New vs Classic styles)

When a file is locked and you try to save or close it, Office Tab shows a warning dialog. Your choice determines whether the lock remains.

Closing a locked document:

  • Click Yes → close the document and end the locking status.
  • Click No → keep the document open and keep it locked.

Saving a locked document:

  • Classic Tab style: Click Yes → save and end the locking status. Click No → keep it locked and unchanged.
  • New Tab style: Click Yes → save the file and keep it locked. Click No → keep it locked and unchanged.

Note: Locking is a convenience guard in Office Tab. It does not replace Word/Excel/PowerPoint’s native read-only or protection features, and it doesn’t change file permissions.

When to use:

  • Prevent accidents: You’re reviewing a final file and want to avoid unintended changes or closure.
  • Parallel editing: Keep a reference document open (locked) while you work in another tab.
  • Hand-off safety: Avoid overwriting when you step away and someone else uses your workstation.

Tips:

  • You can lock multiple tabs independently.
  • Lock doesn’t stop you from typing; it adds a confirmation step for Save and Close.
  • If you often switch between New and Classic tab styles, review the “Saving a locked document” behavior above.

Troubleshooting:

  • I don’t see Lock in the menu: Ensure Office Tab is installed and enabled. Open Office Tab Center and verify the add-in is active for your app.
  • The lock icon doesn’t show on the tab: Try toggling Lock off and on. If it persists, restart the Office app.
  • Prompts keep appearing unexpectedly: The tab may still be locked. Right-click the tab and check whether Lock is ticked.

FAQs

Does Lock make the file read-only?
No. Lock adds confirmation prompts for Save/Close inside Office Tab. It doesn’t change file permissions or apply Word/Excel/PowerPoint protection.
Can I lock several files at once?
Yes. Lock is per tab. Right-click each tab and choose Lock as needed.
What’s the difference between New and Classic Tab styles when saving?
Classic: choosing Yes on save ends the lock. New: choosing Yes on save keeps the lock.
How do I know a tab is locked?
You’ll see a small lock icon on the tab, and the context menu shows a check mark next to Lock.

Office Tab Brings Tabbed interface to Office, Make Your Work Much Easier

  • Enable tabbed editing and reading in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, Visio and Project.
  • Open and create multiple documents in new tabs of the same window, rather than in new windows.
  • Increases your productivity by 50%, and reduces hundreds of mouse clicks for you every day!
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