Is there any possible way to secure a word document so that the text can not be altered after it is saved?

I am using Micorsoft Word 2000 and would like to create a template that can be used for client case notes. The information contained in the case notes needs to be protected so it can not be altered after it has been saved.

Track changes is not an option as that would mean that all additional entries would show as changes. A coordinatior needs to be able to open the document each time a client reports and add a case note. Then once the document has been saved it would require an additonal case note entry rather than just being able to alter the existing case note.

We are a non profit organization and our budget does not allow for purchase of additional software so we need to create our ELECTRONIC case notes using existing software.

Any suggestions that you have would be welcome.
KiwichickChange the attributes so that it is read only. They can VIEW it and save it as something else, but not overwrite your document.What about Tools>Options and under Security Tab choose on of the options you want Read Only, pasword for changes etc.?

Do you want sth else?I can set password protection for read only and to change the document but that does not give me the protection that I need.

Our organization deals with people who are in conflict with the law and the case notes that we WRITE are often Subpoenaed for COURT. We have to be able to verify that what the case notes say is accurate and has not been changed in any way. A coordinator needs to be able to type up the case note then save the document. Once it is saved I do not want them to be able to go back into the document and make any changes unless they type up an entire new entry and the ORIGINAL entry is still there and can not be deleted or altered.

I am thinking we are going to have to try to find some sort of free or very low cost specific software unless this can be done in one of the applications in the Microsoft Office suite.

Any help you can give me is very welcome.
Have a great day You may consider saving the files into pdf format.
What you want is exactly why we have pdf files.
With microsoft office document (word/excel/etc), no matter how you protect it, it still can be overwritten. Unless you set up the administration tools.
But using pdf file is still the best solution.