I have a protected form with certain sections protected for filling in forms, and some sections not protected. In a section that is not protected, there will be several pictures added to this section. To keep the file size down, I want to allow picture compression. Currently, Word blocks out the compress pictures option in a protected form.



Is there a way to allow all the pictures to be compressed in a Word form protected document without having to unprotect the document?

Applying 'filling in forms' protection doesn't prevent picture compression in an unprotected Section. Vector images, of course, can't be compressed. Are you sure you're only selecting images in the unprotected Section and not, for example, extending the selection beyond those? You should also be able to automate the compression by going to Tools|Options|Advanced>Image Size & Quality, and unchecking the 'do not compress images in file' option.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Another option, perhaps more drastic, is to move past legacy forms and controls and use Content Controls. Create a Form Using Word Content Controls Don't use protection for filling in forms but one of the editing restrictions applicable to Content Controls.

If there is a valid reason to use legacy form fields, fine. Otherwise, this method cripples many Word functions.

Greg Maxey's Content Control Tools contains a utility to convert legacy controls to content controls. If you use this, do it on a copy of your document in case you do not care for the result.