How can I enter viewing mode, not editing mode, by default?

[lizhongliang_genomics]

Whenever I open an existing page, Confluence automatically puts the page into editing mode, not viewing mode. This annoys me and I have found no way to stop this.

So, how can I enter viewing mode, not editing mode, by default, when I open any existing page?

[Kristian Klima · Accepted solution]

Hi @lizhongliang_genomics and welcome to the Community.

Ensure that you click Publish/Update button before leaving the page.

Even if you're using Live Edit mode (where page stays in the edit mode until you Publish/Update it).

Publish/Update = save changes

[lizhongliang_genomics]

Thanks heaps, @Kristian Klima . I finally understand I have to choose to publish or update the page. I have been using live editing (turned on by default) and all changes I made to a page are saved in nearly real time, so I didn't realize the need to manually publish or update the page.

[lizhongliang_genomics]

Hi, @Kristian Klima .

I have gained more understanding of this issue. The trouble I had was mainly caused by "live editing", which is still a beta feature. Some of my findings are as follows:

• If a page isn't in live editing mode, it'll always be in viewing mode when you reopen it.
• If a page is in live editing mode, it'll always be in editing mode when you reopen it.
• If a page is in live editing mode, there's no Publish/Update button on the screen. To publish the page, you have to select "Publish" from the "More actions" drop-down list. Pressing "CTRL + Enter" won't work. By the way, this could be a bug.
• Once you select "Publish" from the "More actions" drop-down list, the page exits live editing mode and becomes a conventional page.

[Kristian Klima]

Hi @lizhongliang_genomics , nice summary.

And you are right about the Publish/Edit button not being visible - I'm not using the mode as it's not compatible with the apps crucial to my workflow (see my summary here) so I completely forgot the button's not there.

[lizhongliang_genomics]

Hi, @Kristian Klima . Thank you for the compliment and extra info. I have so much learn form experts like you. -:)

[Kristian Klima]

We're all still learning - the products are changing and it's not humanly possible to stay up to date all the time.

[Davis, Richard]

I'm confused. The newest version of Confluence has "Live Docs". They are always in edit mode. I do not see any Publish under More...? How can these docs be put into view mode by default? It's not OK that edit mode is the default. It's too error prone with so many viewers that might be in and out.  Maybe I am missing something?