When you open a downloaded Hangul document, does a message appear stating "This document is read-only"?
Are you experiencing a situation where there is no response even when you try to enter text, and the edit mode is not activated even after pressing the save button?
Edit lock in Hangul files can arise from various causes such as file properties, security settings for distribution, and system permissions. Although the symptoms of 'unable to edit' appear similar, the solutions differ completely depending on the cause.
Solutions for disabling read-only mode for Hangul files, releasing distribution documents, and switching to edit mode have been summarized over two parts according to their causes.
Immediately check the solutions to all Hangul edit lock issues now.
What is Hangul Edit Lock?
An edit lock is the state where contents are visible in a Hangul document but cannot be modified. Sometimes, labels like ‘Read-only’, ‘Distribution Document’ are displayed at the top, or the edit mode doesn't activate without any explicit message.
The reasons for needing to disable read-only mode in Hangul files are varied. Attachments received via email, formats downloaded from the internet, documents in company shared folders, or files copied from a USB are often restricted from editing by default. The important point is to apply a solution suited to each specific cause.
Identifying 3 Types of Hangul Edit Locks
To solve the issue of being unable to edit, it is essential to first accurately identify the type of limitation. Edit restrictions in Hangul documents are broadly divided into three types, each with different solutions.
What is a Read-Only Hangul File?
The file itself is not at issue; rather, the 'Read-Only' attribute is set in the Windows file system. This is the most common case, encompassing most email attachments, internet downloads, and files copied from USBs.
When the file is opened, ‘Read-Only Document’ appears at the top of the screen. If you try to enter text, there will be no response, or an alert sound may be emitted. Saving under a different name is possible, but you cannot directly modify the original file.
This type is the easiest to resolve by unsetting the read-only status in a Hangul file. Simply unchecking a box in the file properties will resolve it in a second without needing a separate password or permissions, allowing anyone to immediately switch to edit mode.
What is a Distribution Document?
Distribution documents are primarily used for documents officially distributed by public institutions, companies, and schools.
A password is set through the security function in Hancom Office, and only those who know the password can edit it. When the file is opened, a ‘Distribution Document’ label appears, and the 'Security' tab in the top menu is active. Reading is possible, but copying, printing, and editing may be restricted. Some documents may also have watermarks inserted.
The release of distribution document status absolutely requires a password. You must enter the password set by the document creator or distribution manager to unlock the edit restriction. If the password is unknown, complete release is impossible, and only an alternative method, such as copying the text to a new document, can be used.
What are Hangul System Permissions and Network Issues?
This primarily occurs with files on company servers, shared folders, and cloud-sync folders. Editing may be blocked due to Windows system permissions or network settings.
The file can only be opened in a ‘Read-Only’ mode, where attempting to save will cause the program to immediately freeze or crash. In some cases, the edit mode itself is disabled.
This type arises not from issues with the file itself, but due to system settings. It may be that folder access is only granted as 'Read', another person is using the file, or the network connection is unstable. Assistance from an IT administrator or copying the file to a local disk for work may be required.
Disabling Read-Only in Hangul Files: 5 Quick Checklists
These are the items to check first when edit issues occur. By checking in this order, you can quickly find the root cause of most problems.
Step 1: Check the Program in Use
To edit Hangul documents, the Hancom Office program is mandatory. The free 'Hangul Viewer' or 'Hancom Office Viewer' only allows viewing documents without editing functions.
The easiest way to verify if you are using Hancom Office is by looking at the top menu. If you see menus like 'Edit', 'Input', 'Format', it is Hancom Office. If only the 'View' menu is present without other editing menus, you are using the Hangul Viewer.
If using the Hangul Viewer, purchase Hancom Office or download the trial version from Hancom's official website. The trial version allows all features to be used for free for 30 days.
Step 2: Check the File Status Label
Carefully inspect the top of the screen or the title bar when opening Hangul documents for labels like ‘Read-Only Document’, ‘Distribution Document’, or ‘[Read-Only]’.
If labeled ‘Read-Only Document’, it's a file property issue that can be easily resolved. If labeled ‘Distribution Document’, it's a secured file requiring a password. If [Read-Only] appears in parentheses next to the title, it likely indicates a system permission or network issue.
If there is no label and editing is still unavailable, continue with the next steps.
Step 3: Check the File Storage Location
The root cause of the edit lock varies by the file's storage location. Use the explorer to check where the file is stored.
If located in the document folder or desktop of the local disk (C:, D: drives), it's likely a file property issue. If on a network drive (\\server\... path), it’s a permissions issue. If in a cloud storage folder like OneDrive or Google Drive, it could be due to sync conflicts. If on a USB or external drive, it could be due to write protection on the storage device.
To check the file location, open the file, click 'Document Info' in the 'File' menu, or right-click the file in the explorer and select 'Properties'.
Step 4: Check the Detailed File Properties
Right-click the file and select 'Properties' to view detailed file information. There are a few things to check here.
In the 'General' tab at the bottom, look for the 'Read-only' checkbox and see if it is marked. If there is an item labeled 'Blocked' with a message that says, "This file was received from another computer," unblock it as well.
Move to the 'Security' tab to verify your account's permissions. If only 'Read & Execute' is allowed and there is no permission for 'Modify' or 'Write', administrator privileges may be required, or a request may need to be made to the IT department.
Step 5: Check for Multi-User Access
If multiple people are opening the same file simultaneously, only the first person can edit, whereas subsequent users can open it in read-only mode. This is a common issue with files in network shared folders or cloud-sync folders. In this case, waiting until the current user closes the file or opening it in read-only mode to copy the contents to a new file could be solutions.
If such a message appears even when working alone, verify if the file is open on another computer logged in with the same account. Alternatively, if the program terminated abnormally, the file might remain locked.
Case 1: Disabling Read-Only in Hangul Files
Edit difficulties due to read-only Hangul files are the most common and easily resolvable type.
Method 1: Release Read-Only from File Properties
Right-click the Hangul file you want to edit.
Select 'Properties' from the menu that appears.
In the ‘Attributes’ section at the bottom of the 'General' tab, check if the 'Read-only' box is marked. If so, click to unmark it.
Click the 'Apply' button, then click 'OK'.
When you reopen the file, the “Read-Only Document” label at the top will disappear, and you will be able to edit it normally.
If this solution does not resolve the issue, the cause may be different, such as a secured distribution document or system permission issue. Try the following method.
Method 2: Copy to Local Disk and Change Properties
In cases where files are on a network shared folder or USB, the location may automatically set them to read-only. It can be effective to first copy the file to a local disk and then change its properties.
Select the Hangul file you wish to edit.
Press Ctrl+C to copy or right-click and select 'Copy'.
Open the document folder or desktop on the local disk (C: or D: drive).
Press Ctrl+V to paste or right-click and select 'Paste'.
Right-click the copied file to open 'Properties'.
Uncheck 'Read-only' and click 'Apply' and 'OK'.
Open the copied file to perform editing tasks.
Upon completion, you can overwrite it back to the original location.
This method is advantageous for stable work even in environments with unstable or slow network connections. Do not forget to save it back to the original location after the task is completed.
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Case 2: Complete Guide to Releasing Distribution Documents
Releasing distribution documents is entirely different from typical read-only files.
Instead of changing file properties, you have to input a password within the Hancom Office program.
How to Release Protection When You Know the Password
If you have received the password from the Hangul document creator, you can officially release the distribution document status.
Open the Hangul file set as a distribution document.
Click the 'Security' tab in the top menu.
Find and click the 'Change/Release Distribution Document Password' menu.
When the password entry window appears, accurately enter the set password. Note that it is case-sensitive.
Click the 'Release' button.
The ‘Distribution Document’ label at the top will disappear, and it will switch to edit mode.
Now it can be freely modified and saved like a regular document.
If you enter the wrong password several times, input may be blocked for a certain period. It is advisable not to attempt at random if the password is uncertain but rather to confirm with the responsible party.
How to Release Protection When You Don’t Know the Password
It is impossible to release distribution document protection without knowing the password. This is due to security functions, and there are no bypass methods.
However, there are ways to use the content. If the 'Copy' function is allowed even in a distribution document, you can copy the contents. Press Ctrl+A to select all content and Ctrl+C to copy after opening the document. Create a new Hangul document and paste with Ctrl+V to import the content.
If even the copy function is prohibited, you might have to take a screenshot and save it as an image or manually type the required sections. Another option is to print to PDF and use a PDF editing tool, but this too requires print functionality to be enabled.
The key point is that distribution security settings are applied for legitimate reasons, so it is preferable to formally request edit permissions rather than attempt unauthorized circumvention.
How to Set My Document as Distribution to Prevent Unauthorized Edits
Conversely, this is how you protect a Hangul document you have created from unauthorized editing by others.
Open the Hangul document you wish to protect.
Click the 'Security' tab in the top menu.
Select 'Save as Distribution Document' menu.
When prompted to set a password, input one that is memorable yet secure.
Enter the same password in the confirmation field.
You can choose additional options like print restriction, copy restriction, and validity period settings.
Click the 'Save' button to save it as a distribution document.
Such a document can only be edited by individuals who know the password. It is useful for sharing important reports, contracts, and public documents externally.
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