How can you protect a Word document from editing?

Using the 'Restrict Editing' feature is an effective way to protect a Word document from editing by allowing the author to specify what parts of the document can be modified and by whom. This feature provides the ability to limit changes to specific sections or to control formatting options throughout the document. By enabling restrictions, users can prevent unauthorized modifications while still allowing certain individuals to make changes if they have permission.

Saving a document as a PDF, while it does create a version that is generally harder to edit, does not allow for controlled editing within the Word format itself. Converting the document to an image also makes it difficult to edit but completely limits any text-based functionality that users may require. Encrypting the document with a password secures it from unauthorized access, but it does not inherently restrict editing; users who have the password can still edit the document if they choose to do so. Thus, the 'Restrict Editing' feature directly addresses the need to control how a document can be interacted with in the Word environment.