Unprotect document in Word 2007 that was protected in 2003 version

I am having a set of protected documents. Those were created on Office 2003. But somehow it looks that I cannot modify them on Office 2007. We had upgraded the all Office 2003 to Office 2007. It is not a bit annoying to find systems that are still working on Office 2003. And the list of documents are quiet large. It would be complicated to restore the old version back. What I can I do to unlock the docs in Office 2007. There must be some way for the same.

Go to the review tab. There you can find the settings to make a document unprotected. I am sure it is possible to disable the same from Review section. Just click on that and then click on Protect Document. There you can find a option name as Restrict Formatting and Editing. Just make unrestricted and done. You will be able to modify the files.

I am bit confused here. I am having around 10 to 20 excel sheets that are protected. I tried to remove the same but still not able to modify the excel files.

Did you tried to search in F1. I am talking about the help and support column. There you can find out the entire set of details which will allow you to remove the restriction. There is one more thing you can do. You can try to save as the file in 2007 format and then try to modify the same. I did this for some old files and there were ample of things fixed.

Sorry, not working for me. When I follow the steps below, "when you click Protect Document, click Restrict Formatting and Editing," that selection is already not checked. Checking (and unchecking) doesn't allow me to type anywhere but the gray boxes. I can't paste, spell-check, etc.

I just joined so I could comment on this. It worked like a charm but now I can't protect it again.

We cannot add any type of programming (we are locked out by the "administrator") so now I cannot protect the document again. I'm not asking for help on this, just to comment on how helpful the answer as to how to unlock my document has been. Thanks!

Had to register to reply, what a pain! I solved my problem by piecing together the advice from prior posts. In my case, "Restrict Formatting and Editing" was unchecked, but it was still being enforced. I had to do the following:
1. Check "Restrict Formatting and Editing".
2. The "Restrict Formatting and Editing" pane displays on the right side.
3. Click "Stop Protection".
4. Enter the password.
5. The restrictions are displayed, but are disabled.
6. Close the pane.
7. Note, "Restrict Formatting and Editing" will remain checked until you close and re-open the file.

Thanks to all for your advice! I hope this helps.