Protect template spreadsheet?

[azz1844]

I have a blank template for a Calc spreadsheet that I want others to be able to use and save new documents from, but I want to prevent them from saving over the original spreadsheet.

I could do this in Microsoft Excel by setting a “password to modify”, meaning it would effectively open as a “read only” file, which they could edit, but only save using the Save As… function (not just “Save”). I know how to have a Calc spreadsheet open as “read only”, but in Calc you cannot input anything in or edit a read only document as you can with Excel. The only way to do it is to enable editing mode by inputting the password, which means you can now save over the original, defeating the point.

Is there any other way I can do this?

Many thanks.

Azz

[mikekaganski]

Just save the document as template (yes, Save As→ODF Spreadsheet Template, unlike usual spreadsheet). That is what specifically targeted for templates, not the incorrect usage of normal spreadsheets with funny Read Only attributes.

[mikekaganski]

Just as a comment, not an actual answer (which is given above): setting the file’s attribute “Read Only” (in a file manager like Explorer on Windows) allows one to do the same as you described about your incorrect use of Excel spreadsheets (which also have their respective templates).

[azz1844]

Thank you, I didn’t even know that was an option.

I don’t suppose there is an alternative option which is compatible with Excel 2007?
(In a frustrating situation where I am trying to slowly migrate my dad - who has close to zero IT literacy - from his Office 2007 to LibreOffice, but I should probably tell him to just start using LibreOffice and delete MS

Ideally was looking for a solution that works in LibreOffice AND Excel 2007, but realise that may be hard with the latter being so outdated

[mikekaganski]

An Excel template also fits well (of course, taking into account that Excel’s XLST is foreign format, and would introduce garbage to LibreOffice documents).