diff --git a/src/cantor_part.h b/src/cantor_part.h
--- a/src/cantor_part.h
+++ b/src/cantor_part.h
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #define CANTORPART_H
 
 #include <QPointer>
+#include <QVector>
 
 #include <KParts/ReadWritePart>
 #include <lib/session.h>
@@ -103,6 +104,8 @@
     void loadAssistants();
     void adjustGuiToSession();
 
+    void setReadOnly();
+
 protected Q_SLOTS:
     void fileSaveAs();
     void fileSavePlain();
@@ -163,6 +166,10 @@
     bool m_showProgressDlg;
     QAction * m_evaluate;
     QAction * m_save;
+    QAction * m_paste;
+    QAction * m_cut;
+    QAction * m_undo;
+    QAction * m_redo;
     QAction * m_findNext;
     QAction * m_findPrev;
     KToggleAction* m_typeset;
@@ -174,6 +181,8 @@
 
     QString m_cachedStatusMessage;
     bool m_statusBarBlocked;
+
+    QVector<QAction*> m_editActions;
 };
 
 #endif // CANTORPART_H
diff --git a/src/cantor_part.cpp b/src/cantor_part.cpp
--- a/src/cantor_part.cpp
+++ b/src/cantor_part.cpp
@@ -177,46 +177,41 @@
     savePlain->setIcon(QIcon::fromTheme(QLatin1String("document-save")));
     connect(savePlain, SIGNAL(triggered()), this, SLOT(fileSavePlain()));
 
-    QAction * undo=KStandardAction::undo(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(undo()),
-                                        actionCollection());
-    undo->setPriority(QAction::LowPriority);
-    connect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(undoAvailable(bool)),
-            undo, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
-    QAction * redo=KStandardAction::redo(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(redo()),
-                                        actionCollection());
-    redo->setPriority(QAction::LowPriority);
-    connect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(redoAvailable(bool)),
-            redo, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
-
-    QAction * cut=KStandardAction::cut(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(cut()),
-                                      actionCollection());
-    cut->setPriority(QAction::LowPriority);
-    connect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(cutAvailable(bool)),
-            cut, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
-    QAction * copy=KStandardAction::copy(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(copy()),
-                                        actionCollection());
+    m_undo=KStandardAction::undo(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(undo()), actionCollection());
+    m_undo->setPriority(QAction::LowPriority);
+    connect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(undoAvailable(bool)), m_undo, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
+    m_editActions.push_back(m_undo);
+
+    m_redo=KStandardAction::redo(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(redo()), actionCollection());
+    m_redo->setPriority(QAction::LowPriority);
+    connect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(redoAvailable(bool)), m_redo, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
+    m_editActions.push_back(m_redo);
+
+    m_cut=KStandardAction::cut(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(cut()), actionCollection());
+    m_cut->setPriority(QAction::LowPriority);
+    connect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(cutAvailable(bool)), m_cut, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
+    m_editActions.push_back(m_cut);
+
+    QAction * copy=KStandardAction::copy(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(copy()), actionCollection());
     copy->setPriority(QAction::LowPriority);
-    connect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(copyAvailable(bool)),
-            copy, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
-    QAction * paste=KStandardAction::paste(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(paste()),
-                                          actionCollection());
-    paste->setPriority(QAction::LowPriority);
-    connect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(pasteAvailable(bool)),
-            paste, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
-
-    QAction * find=KStandardAction::find(this, SLOT(showSearchBar()),
-                                        actionCollection());
+    connect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(copyAvailable(bool)), copy, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
+
+    m_paste=KStandardAction::paste(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(paste()), actionCollection());
+    m_paste->setPriority(QAction::LowPriority);
+    connect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(pasteAvailable(bool)), m_paste, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
+    m_editActions.push_back(m_paste);
+
+    QAction * find=KStandardAction::find(this, SLOT(showSearchBar()), actionCollection());
     find->setPriority(QAction::LowPriority);
 
-    QAction * replace=KStandardAction::replace(this, SLOT(showExtendedSearchBar()),
-                                              actionCollection());
+    QAction * replace=KStandardAction::replace(this, SLOT(showExtendedSearchBar()), actionCollection());
     replace->setPriority(QAction::LowPriority);
+    m_editActions.push_back(replace);
 
-    m_findNext = KStandardAction::findNext(this, SLOT(findNext()),
-                                           actionCollection());
+    m_findNext = KStandardAction::findNext(this, SLOT(findNext()),actionCollection());
     m_findNext->setEnabled(false);
-    m_findPrev = KStandardAction::findPrev(this, SLOT(findPrev()),
-                                           actionCollection());
+
+    m_findPrev = KStandardAction::findPrev(this, SLOT(findPrev()), actionCollection());
     m_findPrev->setEnabled(false);
 
     QAction * latexExport=new QAction(i18n("Export to LaTeX"), actionCollection());
@@ -238,6 +233,7 @@
     m_evaluate->setIcon(QIcon::fromTheme(QLatin1String("system-run")));
     actionCollection()->setDefaultShortcut(m_evaluate, Qt::CTRL+Qt::Key_E);
     connect(m_evaluate, SIGNAL(triggered()), this, SLOT(evaluateOrInterrupt()));
+    m_editActions.push_back(m_evaluate);
 
     m_typeset=new KToggleAction(i18n("Typeset using LaTeX"), actionCollection());
     m_typeset->setChecked(Settings::self()->typesetDefault());
@@ -268,36 +264,46 @@
     actionCollection()->addAction(QLatin1String("restart_backend"), restart);
     restart->setIcon(QIcon::fromTheme(QLatin1String("system-reboot")));
     connect(restart, SIGNAL(triggered()), this, SLOT(restartBackend()));
+    m_editActions.push_back(restart);
 
     QAction * evaluateCurrent=new QAction(i18n("Evaluate Entry"), actionCollection());
     actionCollection()->addAction(QLatin1String("evaluate_current"),  evaluateCurrent);
     actionCollection()->setDefaultShortcut(evaluateCurrent, Qt::SHIFT + Qt::Key_Return);
     connect(evaluateCurrent, SIGNAL(triggered()), m_worksheet, SLOT(evaluateCurrentEntry()));
+    m_editActions.push_back(evaluateCurrent);
 
     QAction * insertCommandEntry=new QAction(i18n("Insert Command Entry"), actionCollection());
     actionCollection()->addAction(QLatin1String("insert_command_entry"),  insertCommandEntry);
     actionCollection()->setDefaultShortcut(insertCommandEntry, Qt::CTRL + Qt::Key_Return);
     connect(insertCommandEntry, SIGNAL(triggered()), m_worksheet, SLOT(insertCommandEntry()));
+    m_editActions.push_back(insertCommandEntry);
 
     QAction * insertTextEntry=new QAction(i18n("Insert Text Entry"), actionCollection());
     actionCollection()->addAction(QLatin1String("insert_text_entry"),  insertTextEntry);
     connect(insertTextEntry, SIGNAL(triggered()), m_worksheet, SLOT(insertTextEntry()));
+    m_editActions.push_back(insertTextEntry);
+
 #ifdef Discount_FOUND
     QAction * insertMarkdownEntry=new QAction(i18n("Insert Markdown Entry"), actionCollection());
     actionCollection()->addAction(QLatin1String("insert_markdown_entry"),  insertMarkdownEntry);
     connect(insertMarkdownEntry, SIGNAL(triggered()), m_worksheet, SLOT(insertMarkdownEntry()));
+    m_editActions.push_back(insertMarkdownEntry);
 #endif
+
     QAction * insertLatexEntry=new QAction(i18n("Insert Latex Entry"), actionCollection());
     actionCollection()->addAction(QLatin1String("insert_latex_entry"),  insertLatexEntry);
     connect(insertLatexEntry, SIGNAL(triggered()), m_worksheet, SLOT(insertLatexEntry()));
+    m_editActions.push_back(insertLatexEntry);
 
     QAction * insertPageBreakEntry=new QAction(i18n("Insert Page Break"), actionCollection());
     actionCollection()->addAction(QLatin1String("insert_page_break_entry"), insertPageBreakEntry);
     connect(insertPageBreakEntry, SIGNAL(triggered()), m_worksheet, SLOT(insertPageBreakEntry()));
+    m_editActions.push_back(insertPageBreakEntry);
 
     QAction * insertImageEntry=new QAction(i18n("Insert Image"), actionCollection());
     actionCollection()->addAction(QLatin1String("insert_image_entry"), insertImageEntry);
     connect(insertImageEntry, SIGNAL(triggered()), m_worksheet, SLOT(insertImageEntry()));
+    m_editActions.push_back(insertImageEntry);
 
 
     /*
@@ -325,6 +331,7 @@
     actionCollection()->addAction(QLatin1String("remove_current"), removeCurrent);
     actionCollection()->setDefaultShortcut(removeCurrent, Qt::ShiftModifier + Qt::Key_Delete);
     connect(removeCurrent, SIGNAL(triggered()), m_worksheet, SLOT(removeCurrentEntry()));
+    m_editActions.push_back(removeCurrent);
 
     m_showBackendHelp=new QAction(i18n("Show %1 Help", b->name()) , actionCollection());
     m_showBackendHelp->setIcon(QIcon::fromTheme(QLatin1String("help-contents")));
@@ -348,6 +355,7 @@
     showCompletionShortcuts << Qt::Key_Tab << Qt::CTRL + Qt::Key_Space;
     actionCollection()->setDefaultShortcuts(showCompletion, showCompletionShortcuts);
     connect(showCompletion, SIGNAL(triggered()), m_worksheet, SLOT(showCompletion()));
+    m_editActions.push_back(showCompletion);
 
     // set our XML-UI resource file
     setXMLFile(QLatin1String("cantor_part.rc"));
@@ -380,6 +388,23 @@
     ReadWritePart::setReadWrite(rw);
 }
 
+void CantorPart::setReadOnly()
+{
+    for (QAction* action : m_editActions)
+        action->setEnabled(false);
+
+    disconnect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(pasteAvailable(bool)), m_paste, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
+    disconnect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(undoAvailable(bool)), m_undo, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
+    disconnect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(redoAvailable(bool)), m_redo, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
+    disconnect(m_worksheet, SIGNAL(cutAvailable(bool)), m_cut, SLOT(setEnabled(bool)));
+
+    if (m_showBackendHelp)
+    {
+        m_showBackendHelp->setEnabled(false);
+        m_showBackendHelp->setVisible(false);
+    }
+}
+
 void CantorPart::setModified(bool modified)
 {
     // get a handle on our Save action and make sure it is valid
@@ -461,12 +486,15 @@
     QString worksheetFilter = i18n("Cantor Worksheet (*.cws)");
     QString filter = worksheetFilter;
 
-    //if the backend supports scripts, also append their scriptFile endings to the filter
-    Cantor::Backend * const backend=m_worksheet->session()->backend();
-    if (backend->extensions().contains(QLatin1String("ScriptExtension")))
+    if (!m_worksheet->isReadOnly())
     {
-        Cantor::ScriptExtension* e=dynamic_cast<Cantor::ScriptExtension*>(backend->extension(QLatin1String("ScriptExtension")));
-        filter+=QLatin1String(";;")+e->scriptFileFilter();
+        //if the backend supports scripts, also append their scriptFile endings to the filter
+        Cantor::Backend * const backend=m_worksheet->session()->backend();
+        if (backend->extensions().contains(QLatin1String("ScriptExtension")))
+        {
+            Cantor::ScriptExtension* e=dynamic_cast<Cantor::ScriptExtension*>(backend->extension(QLatin1String("ScriptExtension")));
+            filter+=QLatin1String(";;")+e->scriptFileFilter();
+        }
     }
 
     QString selectedFilter;
@@ -563,17 +591,22 @@
 
 void CantorPart::initialized()
 {
-    connect(m_worksheet->session(), SIGNAL(statusChanged(Cantor::Session::Status)), this, SLOT(worksheetStatusChanged(Cantor::Session::Status)));
-    connect(m_worksheet->session(), SIGNAL(loginStarted()),this, SLOT(worksheetSessionLoginStarted()));
-    connect(m_worksheet->session(), SIGNAL(loginDone()),this, SLOT(worksheetSessionLoginDone()));
-    connect(m_worksheet->session(), SIGNAL(error(QString)), this, SLOT(showSessionError(QString)));
+    if (!m_worksheet->isReadOnly())
+    {
+        connect(m_worksheet->session(), SIGNAL(statusChanged(Cantor::Session::Status)), this, SLOT(worksheetStatusChanged(Cantor::Session::Status)));
+        connect(m_worksheet->session(), SIGNAL(loginStarted()),this, SLOT(worksheetSessionLoginStarted()));
+        connect(m_worksheet->session(), SIGNAL(loginDone()),this, SLOT(worksheetSessionLoginDone()));
+        connect(m_worksheet->session(), SIGNAL(error(QString)), this, SLOT(showSessionError(QString)));
 
-    loadAssistants();
-    m_panelHandler->setSession(m_worksheet->session());
-    adjustGuiToSession();
+        loadAssistants();
+        m_panelHandler->setSession(m_worksheet->session());
+        adjustGuiToSession();
 
-    if (m_worksheet->isEmpty())
-        m_worksheet->appendCommandEntry();
+        if (m_worksheet->isEmpty())
+            m_worksheet->appendCommandEntry();
+    }
+    else
+        setReadOnly();
 
     m_worksheetview->setEnabled(true);
     m_worksheetview->setFocus();
@@ -620,7 +653,10 @@
     if (filename.isEmpty())
         filename=i18n("Unnamed");
 
-    emit setCaption(filename, QIcon::fromTheme(m_worksheet->session()->backend()->icon()));
+    if (!m_worksheet->isReadOnly())
+        emit setCaption(filename, QIcon::fromTheme(m_worksheet->session()->backend()->icon()));
+    else
+        emit setCaption(filename+QLatin1Char(' ')+i18n("[read-only]"), QIcon());
 }
 
 void CantorPart::pluginsChanged()
diff --git a/src/lib/expression.cpp b/src/lib/expression.cpp
--- a/src/lib/expression.cpp
+++ b/src/lib/expression.cpp
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@
 {
     d->session=session;
     d->internal = internal;
-    if (!internal)
+    if (!internal && session)
         d->id=session->nextExpressionId();
     else
         d->id = -1;
@@ -119,7 +119,8 @@
         qDebug()<<"setting result to a type "<<result->type()<<" result";
         #ifdef WITH_EPS
         //If it's text, and latex typesetting is enabled, render it
-        if ( session()->isTypesettingEnabled()&&
+        if ( session() &&
+             session()->isTypesettingEnabled()&&
              result->type()==TextResult::Type &&
              dynamic_cast<TextResult*>(result)->format()==TextResult::LatexFormat &&
              !result->toHtml().trimmed().isEmpty() &&
diff --git a/src/worksheet.h b/src/worksheet.h
--- a/src/worksheet.h
+++ b/src/worksheet.h
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@
     Cantor::Session* session();
 
     bool isRunning();
+    bool isReadOnly();
     bool showExpressionIds();
     bool animationsEnabled();
 
@@ -220,6 +221,7 @@
   protected:
     void contextMenuEvent(QGraphicsSceneContextMenuEvent*) override;
     void mousePressEvent(QGraphicsSceneMouseEvent*) override;
+    void mouseDoubleClickEvent(QGraphicsSceneMouseEvent * event) override;
 
     void dragEnterEvent(QGraphicsSceneDragDropEvent*) override;
     void dragLeaveEvent(QGraphicsSceneDragDropEvent*) override;
@@ -293,7 +295,9 @@
     bool m_loginDone;
     bool m_isPrinting;
     bool m_isLoadingFromFile;
+    bool m_readOnly;
 
+    QString m_backendName;
 };
 
 #endif // WORKSHEET_H
diff --git a/src/worksheet.cpp b/src/worksheet.cpp
--- a/src/worksheet.cpp
+++ b/src/worksheet.cpp
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@
 
     m_isPrinting = false;
     m_loginDone = false;
+    m_readOnly = false;
     m_isLoadingFromFile = false;
 
     enableHighlighting(Settings::self()->highlightDefault());
@@ -421,6 +422,9 @@
 
 void Worksheet::startDrag(WorksheetEntry* entry, QDrag* drag)
 {
+    if (m_readOnly)
+        return;
+
     resetEntryCursor();
     m_dragEntry = entry;
     WorksheetEntry* prev = entry->previous();
@@ -474,7 +478,7 @@
 void Worksheet::evaluate()
 {
     qDebug()<<"evaluate worksheet";
-    if (!m_loginDone)
+    if (!m_loginDone && !m_readOnly)
         loginToSession();
 
     firstEntry()->evaluate(WorksheetEntry::EvaluateNext);
@@ -484,7 +488,7 @@
 
 void Worksheet::evaluateCurrentEntry()
 {
-    if (!m_loginDone)
+    if (!m_loginDone && !m_readOnly)
         loginToSession();
 
     WorksheetEntry* entry = currentEntry();
@@ -519,7 +523,10 @@
         setLastEntry(entry);
         updateLayout();
         makeVisible(entry);
-        focusEntry(entry);
+        if (m_readOnly)
+            entry->setAcceptHoverEvents(false);
+        else
+            focusEntry(entry);
     }
     return entry;
 }
@@ -799,7 +806,11 @@
         if(m_highlighter)
             m_highlighter->deleteLater();
 
-        m_highlighter=session()->syntaxHighlighter(this);
+        if (!m_readOnly)
+            m_highlighter=session()->syntaxHighlighter(this);
+        else
+            m_highlighter=nullptr;
+
         if(!m_highlighter)
             m_highlighter=new Cantor::DefaultHighlighter(this);
 
@@ -827,7 +838,12 @@
 
 bool Worksheet::isRunning()
 {
-    return m_session->status()==Cantor::Session::Running;
+    return m_session && m_session->status()==Cantor::Session::Running;
+}
+
+bool Worksheet::isReadOnly()
+{
+    return m_readOnly;
 }
 
 bool Worksheet::showExpressionIds()
@@ -855,7 +871,7 @@
 {
     QDomDocument doc( QLatin1String("CantorWorksheet") );
     QDomElement root=doc.createElement( QLatin1String("Worksheet") );
-    root.setAttribute(QLatin1String("backend"), m_session->backend()->name());
+    root.setAttribute(QLatin1String("backend"), (m_session ? m_session->backend()->name(): m_backendName));
     doc.appendChild(root);
 
     for( WorksheetEntry* entry = firstEntry(); entry; entry = entry->next())
@@ -923,14 +939,19 @@
     QString commentStartingSeq = QLatin1String("");
     QString commentEndingSeq = QLatin1String("");
 
-    Cantor::Backend * const backend=session()->backend();
-    if (backend->extensions().contains(QLatin1String("ScriptExtension")))
+    if (!m_readOnly)
     {
-        Cantor::ScriptExtension* e=dynamic_cast<Cantor::ScriptExtension*>(backend->extension(QLatin1String(("ScriptExtension"))));
-        cmdSep=e->commandSeparator();
-        commentStartingSeq = e->commentStartingSequence();
-        commentEndingSeq = e->commentEndingSequence();
+        Cantor::Backend * const backend=session()->backend();
+        if (backend->extensions().contains(QLatin1String("ScriptExtension")))
+        {
+            Cantor::ScriptExtension* e=dynamic_cast<Cantor::ScriptExtension*>(backend->extension(QLatin1String(("ScriptExtension"))));
+            cmdSep=e->commandSeparator();
+            commentStartingSeq = e->commentStartingSequence();
+            commentEndingSeq = e->commentEndingSequence();
+        }
     }
+    else
+        KMessageBox::information(worksheetView(), i18n("In read-only mode Cantor couldn't guarantee, that the export will be valid for %1", m_backendName), i18n("Cantor"));
 
     QTextStream stream(&file);
 
@@ -986,7 +1007,7 @@
     }
 
     bool rc = load(&file);
-    if (rc)
+    if (rc && !m_readOnly)
         m_session->setWorksheetPath(filename);
 
     return rc;
@@ -1027,24 +1048,31 @@
     QDomElement root=doc.documentElement();
 //     qDebug()<<root.tagName();
 
-    const QString backendName=root.attribute(QLatin1String("backend"));
-    Cantor::Backend* b=Cantor::Backend::createBackend(backendName);
+    m_backendName=root.attribute(QLatin1String("backend"));
+    Cantor::Backend* b=Cantor::Backend::createBackend(m_backendName);
     if (!b)
     {
         QApplication::restoreOverrideCursor();
-        KMessageBox::error(worksheetView(), i18n("The backend with which this file was generated is not installed. It needs %1", backendName), i18n("Cantor"));
-        return false;
+        KMessageBox::information(worksheetView(), i18n("%1 backend was not found. Editing and executing entries is not possible", m_backendName), i18n("Cantor"));
+        m_readOnly = true;
     }
+    else
+        m_readOnly = false;
 
-    if(!b->isEnabled())
+    if(!m_readOnly && !b->isEnabled())
     {
         QApplication::restoreOverrideCursor();
         KMessageBox::information(worksheetView(), i18n("There are some problems with the %1 backend,\n"\
                                             "please check your configuration or install the needed packages.\n"
-                                            "You will only be able to view this worksheet.", backendName), i18n("Cantor"));
-
+                                            "You will only be able to view this worksheet.", m_backendName), i18n("Cantor"));
+        m_readOnly = true;
     }
 
+    if (m_readOnly)
+        // TODO: Handle this here?
+        for (QAction* action : m_richTextActionList)
+            action->setEnabled(false);
+
     m_isLoadingFromFile = true;
 
     //cleanup the worksheet and all it contains
@@ -1060,7 +1088,8 @@
     }
 
 
-    m_session=b->createSession();
+    if (!m_readOnly)
+        m_session=b->createSession();
 
     qDebug()<<"loading entries";
     QDomElement expressionChild = root.firstChildElement();
@@ -1213,6 +1242,9 @@
 
 void Worksheet::contextMenuEvent(QGraphicsSceneContextMenuEvent *event)
 {
+    if (m_readOnly)
+        return;
+
     // forward the event to the items
     QGraphicsScene::contextMenuEvent(event);
 
@@ -1233,12 +1265,23 @@
         event->scenePos().y() > lastEntry()->y() + lastEntry()->size().height())
         lastEntry()->focusEntry(WorksheetTextItem::BottomRight);
     */
+    if (!m_readOnly)
+        updateEntryCursor(event);
+}
 
-    updateEntryCursor(event);
+void Worksheet::mouseDoubleClickEvent(QGraphicsSceneMouseEvent* event)
+{
+    if (m_readOnly)
+        return;
+
+    QGraphicsScene::mouseDoubleClickEvent(event);
 }
 
 void Worksheet::keyPressEvent(QKeyEvent *keyEvent)
 {
+    if (m_readOnly)
+        return;
+
     // If we choose entry by entry cursor and press text button (not modifiers, for example, like Control)
     if ((m_choosenCursorEntry || m_isCursorEntryAfterLastEntry) && !keyEvent->text().isEmpty())
         addEntryFromEntryCursor();
@@ -1514,9 +1557,11 @@
 
 void Worksheet::setAcceptRichText(bool b)
 {
-    foreach(QAction * action, m_richTextActionList) {
-        action->setEnabled(b);
-    }
+    if (!m_readOnly)
+        foreach(QAction * action, m_richTextActionList) {
+            action->setEnabled(b);
+        }
+
 
     /*
     foreach(QWidget* widget, m_fontAction->createdWidgets()) {