How to remove limited functionality mode in Word? Limited functionality mode in word (Word) - how to remove it? Word writes limited functionality mode.

Users of older versions of Word receive a message indicating reduced functionality mode when opening documents. The question arises: what does this limited functionality mode mean in Word, and how to remove it. After all, this reduces the ability to edit texts, does not provide access to new extensions, and, in general, creates inconvenience in work. In this case, there is no need to call a programmer for such a simple job as changing the format; after studying our recommendations, you will be able to cope with the task without spending a lot of time on it.

What does limited functionality mean?

The Word text editor, included in the Microsoft Office package, is constantly updated by developers: the capabilities are increased and the interface changes. This is reflected in the extension: Word 2003 has doc, and 2007/2010 has docx. Users sometimes, having become accustomed to one program, are reluctant to change it to a new one. But if you have to send or transfer files to another computer with updated programs installed there, problems arise. This is what happened with Word. Files created and saved in the 2003 format are opened in others only for reading, without the ability to edit the data. Users are advised that reduced functionality mode is enabled. Those created in 2007 did not open at all at first for those who had the usual Word 2003, or some add-ons did not work. The developers created a utility that allowed you to open documents created in Word 2007 through 2003. And yet, the limited functionality mode sometimes prevents it from working fully:

  • There is no access to create new documents.
  • Plain text can be viewed but not edited.
  • You cannot use advanced features such as export to PDF, new templates.

Reduced functionality mode in Word 2010, how to remove it - read below. In fact, disabling the mode is a simple procedure that does not require a lot of time or any special knowledge. Read our instructions and you can safely work with your texts.

Removing restrictions

You prepared the text at home on the old, but familiar Word 2003. You brought the file on a flash drive or other storage device to work, to your friends, and Word 2007/2010 was installed there. You need to make changes or additions before printing, but this is not available. So, you have a choice: apologize and offer to do everything later when you get home, or convert the document to take advantage of all the features provided by the developers.

If you chose the second option, then you need to know how to make it work. There are two possible ways here: with saving the source file or without saving.

  1. You decide to convert a 2003 document to a new format, but keep the original. You just need to resave with a different extension. To do this, go to “File” - “Save as”. In the “File type” line, select “Word Document” and enter a different name. An additional window will open with a warning that the new version will not open in Office Click OK, you can first check the “Don’t ask this question again” box so that this message does not appear next time. The system saves both options with different extensions.
  2. If you do not need to save the original version, then we do this: in the “File” tab, go to “Information”, there we click on “Convert”. You will receive a file with a docx extension, all new functions will work without problems.

Note: in the Word 2007 interface, instead of “File” in the upper left corner there is an “Office” button.

In Word 2013, the problem is solved in a similar way, the principle of operation has not changed.

If you have an old version of Word, limited functionality mode, how to disable it? Removing it does not require any special skills. You don’t have to contact specialists or pay for their services. Every user can easily handle it by following our recommendations.

Today we will look at:

Often, when opening a document created in one of the previous versions of the Microsoft editor, the user is faced with a similar limitation. In fact, there is nothing catastrophic about this. Everything is resolved with a few clicks of the appropriate buttons. How to remove the limited functionality mode in Word 2007 will be discussed in this article.

Difference between DOC and DOCХ formats

Yes, yes, that’s exactly the rub! The fact is that outdated editions of Word use the less functional DOC format, but new versions of the editor use a slightly modified DOCХ standard. Which leads to some “misunderstandings” in the process of using different versions of this product.

However, let’s just say that modern Word 2007 is able to recognize and work with documents of older formats, which cannot be said about the opposite process - Word 2003 “will not understand” a DOCX document. Therefore, to avoid misunderstandings, it is necessary to convert the final document into a preservation standard acceptable for further work.

How to remove reduced functionality mode in Word 2007: effective options No. 1

So, let's say you opened a text document in Word 2003 format, naturally, a “limiting” inscription appeared at the top of the editor.

To get rid of this “unreadable element” do the following:


Naturally, in this case, you will not be able to open the modified file in the Word 97-2003 editor. If you need to preserve, so to speak, the originality of the source, then use the method proposed below.


When implementing the latter saving method, the previous copy of the document will remain unchanged. However, if you edited a document in Word 2007 and want the file to be read correctly by older versions of Word, you will resort to the option of saving the final document in a compatible DOC format. Editorial victories to you!

“Why is the limited functionality mode written?” - many people ask this question, since the inscription at the top of Word is quite scary. But few people know that the format of documents created in MS Word was changed in 2007. The reason for the "Reduced functionality mode" notification is an older version of the program in which the file was created. Probably, the document was created in Word 2003, but you open it in Word 2010. In this case, restrictions are imposed on the document and new functions that appeared in 2007-2010 will not be active. To remove the limited functionality mode, you just need to resave the file in an updated format. Let's consider all the ways of what to do in case of such a problem and how to remove restrictions.

Method 1: Save in a different format

Is the document opening in restricted mode? Most likely, the Word file format is “Word Document 97-2003”, which means an outdated version of the program and this should be canceled.

  1. The document is open;
  2. Move the mouse arrow to the “File” section and select “Save As”;
  3. In a new window, write the name in the “File name” field;
  4. Move the cursor to the “File type” field, click, all that remains is to find and click on the “Word Document” format.
  5. Save. When you try to open the file again, there should be no restrictions.


Method 2: Disable Reduced Functionality Mode

Let's look at another option on how to remove restrictions in Word. Go to “File”, then click on “Information” and click on “Convert”.

We save the document in the usual way by clicking on “Save” or using the key combination “Ctrl + S”.

It is not difficult to understand this topic. Follow all the advice carefully and everything will work out. Now you know what it means and why it is written [Reduced functionality mode] and how to disable it.

Microsoft Office developers make changes to each version of the editor. New functionality allows users to increase the efficiency of working with the program.

Working with a full set of functionality and correct display of the file is possible when the versions of the open document and the editor in which the document was created match. Otherwise, the program turns on limited functionality mode.

Reduced functionality mode - what does it mean?

Why does Word write the message “Reduced functionality mode” when opening a document?

Due to the difference in file types and the presence of different options in each new version of Word, the program includes a reduced functionality mode.

The presence of the phrase “Reduced Functionality Mode” after the document name indicates that the open file was created in a different version of Word.

The advantage of working in this mode is the ability to return to working in the original version of the text editor even after editing in a “foreign” version.

The disadvantage is that it is not possible to use updated editor features different from the version in which the document was created.

Limitations in the functionality of different versions of the program and document are expressed as follows:

  • The document was created in a later version of Word than the editor in which it was opened. Consequence: restrictions are imposed on functions that are not present in the program and the document may be displayed incorrectly or with distorted content.
  • The document was created in an earlier version of Word than the editor in which it was opened. Restrictions are imposed on the use of new program options.

Enable reduced functionality mode in Word

The mode is enabled by default if there is a conflict between versions of the program and the open document.

To start searching for errors in the compatibility of an open document with the Word editor, you need to activate the corresponding command. For this:


In the same window, if necessary, check the checkbox to perform the check every time the document is saved.

Let's deal with the more important question of how to turn off limited functionality mode in Word.

Disable reduced functionality mode in Word

You can exit the limited functionality mode in popular versions of Word (2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016) in almost one single way. There are small nuances, but overall everything is the same.

Let's think about when disabling limited functionality mode is used by users. There are only a few cases that come to mind:

  • it is necessary to change the file extension *.doc to the more modern *.docx;
  • When editing a document, you must use the functional options of the new version of the Word text editor.

To remove the limited functionality mode in the current version of Word, just save the document again in the version of the program in which it is opened.

You can use one of the methods listed below:

Convert a document without saving the original version of the file. In this case, the old version of the document is replaced with a new one. When you reopen the document in the original version of the program, a slight distortion in the structure may occur.

Algorithm for removing the limited functionality mode through document transformation:


This method is one of the simplest by which you can remove the limited functionality mode in Word. When you open the document again, the restriction notice will disappear.

Remove limited functionality mode by saving the document in a new format

Saving a document by creating a file in a new format or under a new name. This option allows you to simultaneously leave the document in its original version without changes.

The following algorithm will help you remove the limited functionality mode in Word:

  1. In the menu ribbon, select the “File” tab (for Word 2007 - the button with the MS Office icon);
  2. Open the “Save As” section;
  3. Select a location to store the file depending on the editor interface.

Depending on the editor versions, the saving process may differ. Very detailed information about saving in Word is written in the article.

  • Word 2007, 2010: in the “Save Document” window that opens, select or create a storage folder, a new file name (if you change the file type, the name can be left the same), change the file type to “Word Document (*.docx)”;
  • Word 2013, 2016: click on the “This PC” or “Browse” section → select the document storage folder → type with the extension “Word Document (*.docx)” → new document name.

After these steps, the limited functionality mode will be removed, the file will change its extension, and it will be possible to add new functionality to the current version of the program.

That's probably all. Now you know how to disable, remove or remove the limited functionality mode in Word and continue working with the document.

Let me remind you that the developers warn that this is not the best idea, but still, they leave the user the choice to leave the mode active or exit it.

If you open a Word document, at the top in square brackets, you see the message: "Reduced functionality mode", then the question immediately arises: “What is it, and how to remove it?” This will be discussed in this article.

What does this inscription mean?

In Word, this inscription appears next to the name if you opened a file created in an earlier version of a text editor - 2003, in a new version - 2010. For example, you worked with a file at work, came home, opened it on your computer and saw There is an unusual inscription at the top. This means that Word 2003 is installed at your workplace, and at your home, most likely, there is a newer version - 2010 or 2013.

The fact is that after the version of Word 2007 appeared, the format of the documents created also changed. In 2003, files were saved in *.doc format, and in newer versions - 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016, in *.docx format.

If the file is opened in reduced functionality mode, then the text editor acts as an emulator. At the same time, you will not be able to access some functions that the developers have added to new versions. For example, editing formulas, new numbering styles, WordArt objects, some themes, etc.

Disabling mode

If you need to remove the message at the top and work with Word to the maximum, then it is enough to simply resave the file in a newer format.

Open the desired document and go to the “File” tab at the top. From the list that opens, select .

I have Word 2010 installed. If you have 2016, then instead of a separate window, a menu will expand. In the area on the right, specify the folder on your computer to save and select the mentioned “File Type” with the *.docx extension. Then click the “Save” button.

A dialog box like this will appear. It states that the document may be slightly modified. For example, some styles have been removed, and all formulas will become pictures and it will be impossible to edit them. Click "OK".

After this, you will be able to use all the features of the Word program that is installed on your computer; when working with a document, the message at the top will disappear.

Remove this mode

You can do everything as follows. Open the desired document again and go to the "File" tab. In the “Details” section, click the button.

Confirm the action by clicking "OK".

The line at the top where it is written about restrictions will disappear, and you will be able to use all the new functions of the text editor you have installed. Save the changes either by clicking on the floppy disk in the upper left corner, or by pressing the combination Ctrl+S or Shift+F12.

Some styles may be removed in the converted file, and all formulas will become pictures.

This method differs from the first in that the original will not be saved, it is simply converted. And using resaving, which is described in the first paragraph, will allow you to save both the original document and its new version, which has no restrictions.

I think you managed to remove, using one of the methods described in the article, the line in the document that says about restrictions.

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