Block specific file format types in Office 2016

Summary: Provides information about the settings to block specific file format types for Excel, PowerPoint, and Word users.

You can block specific types of files from being opened or saved in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word by configuring settings in either Group Policy or the Office Customization Tool (OCT).

File block settings are most frequently used to:

  • Force an organization to use specific file formats.

  • Mitigate zero-day security attacks by temporarily preventing users from opening specific types of files. Zero-day security attacks are attacks that occur between the time that vulnerability becomes publicly known and a software update or service pack becomes available.

  • Prevent an organization from opening files that were saved in earlier and prerelease Office formats.

Planning considerations for configuring file block settings

Here are some things to think about as you plan your file block settings:

  • Decide whether you want users to be able to change your configurations.

    • If you don't want users to be able to change your configurations, use Group Policy to configure file block settings policies.

    • If you do want users to be able to change your configurations, use the OCT to set file block settings preferences. If you use the OCT to set file block settings, users can change these settings by using the Trust Center. The Trust Center is available to them from the File tab in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. From the File tab, they choose Options, then Trust Center. From the Trust Center, they choose Trust Center Settings and then File Block Settings.

  • Block open settings don't apply to files that are opened from trusted locations.

  • Block file format settings are application specific. You can't prevent users from using other applications to open or save file types or formats that are blocked. For example, you can configure settings in Word 2016 to block opening of .dot files, thereby preventing users from accessing them in this application. However, users can still open .dot files in Publisher 2013 because it employs a converter that enables it to read .dot files.

  • If Message Bar notifications are disabled, the block file format warning dialog box appears if the user tries to open a blocked file type. Examples of file types that you can block from opening are Word 2007 or later documents or templates, or PowerPoint outline files, among many other files types.

Group Policy and OCT settings

This section describes how to find the settings in Group Policy and the OCT, and lists the settings for Excel 2016, PowerPoint 2016, and Word 2016.

The locations in the Group Policy Editor that are presented in this article apply when you open the Group Policy Editor to edit a GPO. To edit local Group Policy, use the Local Group Policy Editor. To edit domain-based Group Policy, use the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC). Either tool opens the Group Policy Editor when you edit a GPO.

How to find the settings

  • Group Policy settings are available under the User Configuration/Administrative Templates node of the Local Group Policy Editor.

  • OCT policy settings are available on the OCT Modify user settings page.

In both Group Policy and the OCT, the specific path of the folder that contains the file block settings for Excel 2016, PowerPoint 2016, and Word 2016 is the same, except for the application name:

  • Excel 2016 file block settings:

    Microsoft Excel 2016\Excel Options\Security\Trust Center\File Block Settings

  • PowerPoint 2016 file block settings:

    Microsoft PowerPoint 2016\PowerPoint Options\Security\Trust Center\File Block Settings

  • Word 2016 file block settings:

    Microsoft Word 2016\Word Options\Security\Trust Center\File Block Settings

By default, users can set default file block settings in the Trust Center for Excel 2016, PowerPoint 2016, and Word 2016. In Word 2016, for example, on the File tab, users can choose Options, Trust Center, Trust Center Settings, and then choose File Block Settings.

You can disable the file block options in Trust Center options by configuring the settings through Group Policy. If you configure the settings through the OCT, users can change file type behavior through the Trust Center. For more information, see What is File Block?

About the Set default file block behavior setting

The Set default file block behavior setting specifies any of the following:

  • How blocked files open

  • How they don't open

  • How they open in protected view but can't be edited

  • How they open in protected view and can be edited

If you enable this setting, the default file block behavior that you specify applies to any file format that users block by using the Trust Center. The Set default file block setting can also apply to a specific file format if you enable that file format setting and select the Open/Save blocked, use open policy option. For more information about individual file format settings, see the tables in this article. Otherwise, if you configure a single file format setting, that setting overrides the Set default file block behavior setting configuration for that file type.

Note

The options under Open behavior for selected types in the Trust Center, under File Block Settings, correspond directly to the options in the Set default file block behavior setting. You can disable these UI options for users by enabling the Set default file block behavior setting in Group Policy.

Excel 2016 Group Policy and OCT settings

The following table lists the file block settings in Group Policy and the OCT that you can configure for Excel 2016 users. Except for the Set default file block behavior setting, file setting names correspond to the file types that they can block.

Excel 2016 settings

Setting name File extension If you enable this setting, you can select one of the following options: If you disable or do not configure this setting
Set default file block behavior
Users can set blocked file formats in the Trust Center.

See the section About the Set default file block behavior setting for details.
Do not open selected file types.

Open selected types in Protected View.

Open selected types in Protected View and allow editing.
Blocked files aren't opened (users can't open blocked files).
Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, and Excel 2016 versions of workbooks and templates
*.xlsx
*.xltx
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Users can't save this file type.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, and Excel 2016 versions of macro-enabled workbooks and templates
*.xlsm
*.xltm
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, and Excel 2016 versions of add-in files
*.xlam
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, and Excel 2016 versions of binary workbooks
*.xlsb
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
OpenDocument Spreadsheet files
*.ods
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 97-2003 add-in files
*.xls
*.xla
*.xlt
*.xlm
*.xlw
*.xlb
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 97-2003 workbooks and templates
*.xls
*.xla
*.xlt
*.xlm
*.xlw
*.xlb
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 95-97 workbooks and templates
*.xls
*.xla
*.xlt
*.xlm
*.xlw
*.xlb
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 95 workbooks
*.xls
*.xla
*.xlt
*.xlm
*.xlw
*.xlb
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 4 workbooks
*.xls
*.xla
*.xlt
*.xlm
*.xlw
*.xlb
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 4 worksheets
*.xls
*.xla
*.xlt
*.xlm
*.xlw
*.xlb
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 3 worksheets
*.xls
*.xla
*.xlt
*.xlm
*.xlw
*.xlb
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 2 worksheets
*.xls
*.xla
*.xlt
*.xlm
*.xlw
*.xlb
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 4 macrosheets and add-in files
*.xls
*.xla
*.xlt
*.xlm
*.xlw
*.xlb
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 3 macrosheets and add-in files
*.xls
*.xla
*.xlt
*.xlm
*.xlw
*.xlb
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel 2 macrosheets and add-in files
*.xls
*.xla
*.xlt
*.xlm
*.xlw
*.xlb
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Web pages and Excel 2003 XML spreadsheets
*.mht
*.mhtml
*.htm
*.html
*.xml
*.xlmss
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
XML files
*.xml
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.
File format type isn't blocked.
Text files
*.txt
*.csv
*.prn
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.
File format type isn't blocked.
Excel add-in files
*.xll (.dll)
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.
File format type isn't blocked.
dBase III / IV files
*.dbf
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.
File format type isn't blocked.
Microsoft Office query files
*.iqy
*.dqy
*.oqy
*.rqy
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Microsoft Office data connection files
*.odc
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.
File format type isn't blocked.
Other data source files
*.udl
*.dsn
*.mdb
*.mde
*.accdb
*.accde
*.dbc
*.uxdc
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.
File format type isn't blocked.
Offline cube files
*.cub
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.
File format type isn't blocked.
Dif and Sylk files
*.dif
*.slk
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.
File format type isn't blocked.
Legacy converters for Excel
All file formats that are opened through a converter
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Microsoft Office Open XML converters for Excel
All file formats that are opened through an OOXML converter
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.

PowerPoint 2016 Group Policy and OCT settings

The following table lists the file block settings in Group Policy and the OCT that you can configure for PowerPoint 2016 users. Except for the Set default file block behavior setting, file setting names correspond to the file types that they can block.

PowerPoint 2016 settings

Setting name File format extension If you enable this setting, you can select one of the following options If you disable or do not configure this setting
Set default file block behavior
Users can set blocked file formats in the Trust Center.
See the section About the Set default file block behavior setting for details.
Do not open selected file types.

Open selected types in Protected View.

Open selected types in Protected View and allow editing.
Blocked files aren't opened (users can't open blocked files).
PowerPoint 2007, PowerPoint 2010, PowerPoint 2013, and PowerPoint 2016 versions of presentations, shows, templates, themes, and add-ins
*.pptx
*.pptm
*.potx
*.ppsx
*.ppam
*.thmx
*.xml
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
OpenDocument Presentation files
*.odp
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
PowerPoint 97-2003 presentations, shows, templates and add-in files
*.ppt
*.pot
*.pps
*.ppa
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Web pages
*.mht
*.mhtml
*.htm
*.html
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Outline files
*.rtf
*.txt
*.doc
*.wpd
*.docx
*.docm
*.wps
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.
File format type isn't blocked.
Legacy converters for PowerPoint
Presentation files older than PowerPoint 97
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Graphic Filters
*.jpg
*.png
*.tif
*.bmp
*.wmf
*.emf
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.
File format type isn't blocked.
Microsoft Office Open XML converters for PowerPoint
All file formats that are opened through an OOXML converter
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.

Word 2016 Group Policy and OCT settings

The following table lists the file block settings in Group Policy and the OCT that you can configure for Word 2016 users. Except for the Set default file block behavior setting, file setting names correspond to the file types that they can block.

Word 2016 settings

Setting name File format extension If you enable this setting, you can select one of the following options If you disable or do not configure this setting
Set default file block behavior
Users can set blocked file formats in the Trust Center.
See the section About the Set default file block behavior setting for details.
Do not open selected file types.

Open selected types in Protected View.

Open selected types in Protected View and allow editing.
Blocked files aren't opened (users can't open blocked files).
Word 2007, Word 2010, Word 2013, and Word 2016 versions of documents and templates
*.docx
*.dotx
*.docm
*.dotm
*.xml (Word Flat Open XML)
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
OpenDocument text files
*.odt
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Word 2007, Word 2010, Word 2013, and Word 2016 versions of binary documents and templates
*.doc
*.dot
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Word 2003 binary documents and templates
*.doc
*.dot
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Word 2003 and plain XML documents
*.xml
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Word 2002 binary documents and templates
*.doc
*.dot
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Word 2000 binary documents and templates
*.doc
*.dot
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Word 97 binary documents and templates
*.doc
*.dot
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Word 95 binary documents and templates
*.doc
*.dot
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Word 6.0 binary documents and templates
*.doc
*.dot
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open Policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Word 2.0 and earlier binary documents and templates
*.doc
*.dot
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Web pages
*.htm
*.html
*.mht
*.mhtml
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
RTF files
*.rtf
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Plain text files
*.txt
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.
File format type isn't blocked.
Legacy converters for Word
All file formats that are opened through a converter
Do not block:The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.
Office Open XML converters for Word
All file formats that are opened through an OOXML converter
Do not block: The file type isn't blocked.

Save blocked: Saving of the file type is blocked.

Open/Save blocked, use open policy: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked. The file opens based on the configuration of the Set default file block behavior setting.

Block: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the file doesn't open.

Open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the option to edit the file type is disabled.

Allow editing and open in Protected View: Both opening and saving of the file type is blocked, and the edit option is enabled.
File format type isn't blocked.

Privacy options in Office 2016

Prevent file format attacks by using Office file validation in Office 2016

Set up a safe environment to open files by using Protected View in Office 2016