Why Cant Microsoft Word Open A Document On Mac

Microsoft Word is the widely used Word processor across the globe. It is the simplest yet magical application, offers abundant features. People are using this Word program from more than 3 decades and even now it stands the best in the race.

  1. Why Can't Microsoft Word Open A Document On Mac Download
  2. Why Cant Microsoft Word Open A Document On Mac Free

In this article we show how to open and edit.docx files created in Microsoft Word on a Mac, iPhone or iPad, as well as how to save changes in a format that can be opened on a PC.

However, a common issue regarding this well-known Word processing tool left several users in the high and dry situation.

  • Change the default settings for new documents. Normal.dotm, you must open the file from Word. If you open Normal.dotm from the Finder, Word will create a new blank document based on the template. On the File menu, click Open. In the Open dialog box, browse to the folder that contains the Normal.dotm file. If you are using Word 2016 for Mac.
  • The true problem is that word for mac (and Windows) saves in the.docx file format and word can no longer find that folder.For some reason Apple iCloud has taken the folder so that it can not be seen by word.Go to Finder and locate and then drag the 'documents' folder back up to the top of the list of finder folders.That should do it.It did for me.
  • Aug 29, 2017  I will show you 'What To Do When A Document Won't Open on a Mac' How Do the Red, Yellow, and Green Buttons Work? How to fix the file is damaged and can't be opened.
  • Nov 05, 2015  When I try short cut or open a word doc I get message microsoft word 2010 cannot open.Try again or repair in control panel. To fix this problem, Click Start, Control Panel, locate MS office.
  • Aug 29, 2017 I will show you 'What To Do When A Document Won't Open on a Mac' How Do the Red, Yellow, and Green Buttons Work? Microsoft word tutorial. How to open word document on Mac - Duration.

I can’t edit my Word document!” “Why can’t I edit my Word document?”- it is the most frequently asked question by MS Word users across various online forum discussions.

So, if you are also facing the same problem then, here are a few simple tricks to tackle the issue can’t edit Word document.

Can’t Edit Word Document? Here is How to Fix…

Step 1: Move the Word Document

If, the Word file which you are unable to edit is saved on any removable storage device, then copy the document to your computer’s hard drive and try to edit.

Make sure Office program is activated successfully on your computer. And, if you are using a trial version, ensure it is not expired.

Step 2: Enable Word File

  • Right click on the Word document which you can’t edit
  • Click on Properties and uncheck Read-only
  • Switch to Security tab and check file usage rights is given in Group or usernames
  • Also verify, each control is marked as Allow under Permissions
  • Apply changes you made and hit OK

You might even encounter Word cannot complete the save due to file permission error if full control is not accessed to your Word document.

Why Can't Microsoft Word Open A Document On Mac Download

Step 3: Remove Document Protection

  • Open the Word document that you can’t edit and go to File menu
  • Click Options, select Customize Ribbon and Developer
  • Select Protect/Document Protection
  • Check both Block Authors and Restrict Editing
  • Disable Restrict Editing and remove blocked authors
  • When prompted, type in the password and hit OK

In Word 2016 you can find Restrict Editing and Block Authors options under Review (top panel)-> Protect tab.

Note: In case, your Word file is not responding while working or it fails to open in MS Word program then seek Yodot DOC Repair help or go through the link to solve the issue Word file not responding in a few easy steps.

Step 4: Disable Protected View

Word program gives the user an option to open Word documents that are saved in an unsafe location or received from internet/as Outlook attachment in the Read-only mode. This is to safeguard your system from unsafe entities or malicious scripts.

So, if you don’t want the Word document delivered from Outlook/internet to open in read-only mode then follow these steps.

In Word 2016/2013/2010:

Go to File -> Options -> Trust Centre -> Trust Centre Settings -> Protected View -> uncheck all options and hit OK

In Word 2007:

Select Review from top panel -> Protect Document -> Protect -> Restrict Formatting and Editing -> Stop Protection

In Word 2003:

Tools -> Unprotect

Step 5: Check Word File is Not in Use by Another User

In case, your Word file is saved on a network drive (shared network) and at the same time some other user is working on it then you cannot edit that document. It will open in Read-Only mode.

If so, then you can try below steps.

  • Save all your work and open files
  • Close all running programs and press CTRL, ALT and Delete Keys together
  • In Task Manager, select exe and click End Process under Processes tab
  • Hit Yes; if it shows the program is not responding then click the End Now button
  • Exit Task Manager, navigate to the folder where your Word file (read-only file) is saved and delete a file with the name like ~$cument.doc
  • Open Word program, click No and open the Word file that you were unable to edit

I hope the above solutions can solve your problem “can’t edit my Word document”. If you have found any other technique to fix this issue, feel free to drop your solutions in the below comment box.

Summary

When you try to open a Word document on Mac document, Word stops opening. If you are faced with this issue and are willing to solve it, then follow the 3 solutions. If you have data loss problem after fixing the Word not opening issue, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac can do you a favor.

On this page, we have collected three practical solutions that can help fix the 'Word Not Opening' error on Mac. And if you mistakenly removed a Word file on Mac, let reliable Mac file recovery software as recommended here for help. Check out how to fix the not opening Word file to accessible again:

Workable SolutionsStep-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Repair DiskOpen Disk Utility > Select the primary hard disk on Mac and select 'First Aid' > Click 'Run'...Full steps
Fix 2. Remove Word PreferenceOpen 'Library' > Open 'Preferences' > Copy com.microsoft.Word.plist file to desktop...Full steps
Fix 3. Open and Repair WordStart Word > Click 'Open' on the File menu > Click 'Repair' on the Open button...Full steps
Fix 4. Recover Lost WordRun EaseUS Mac file recovery software > Scan mac drive > Restore lost Mac word file...Full steps

'Word 2016 on my Mac won't open. It flashes immediately by double-clicking and then closes unexpectedly. I didn't do anything or any change. How to fix it if Microsoft Word won't open at all?'

In addition to this situation, most users are also faced with these errors:

Why Cant Microsoft Word Open A Document On Mac
  • The application Microsoft Word quit unexpectedly
  • Microsoft Word cannot be opened because of a problem. Check with the developer to make sure Microsoft Word works with this version of Mac OS X

As Microsoft Word is widely used among people, owning some basic Word troubleshooting is recognized as an essential skill. Today you're going to learn three tricks in solving Word not opening on Mac. The given workarounds are applicable to all Word editions such as 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013 2016.

1. Run Repair Disk Permissions

Step 1: On the 'Go' menu, click 'Utilities'. Start the Disk Utility program.

Step 2: Choose the primary hard disk drive for your computer. Then, click the 'First Aid' tab.

Step 3: Click 'Run' to repair the disk volume errors and permissions. When it finishes, click 'Done'.

2. Remove Word Preferences

Step 1: Open 'Library'. Usually, click 'GO' > 'Go to the folder', then type ~/Library

Step 2: Locate a file named as 'Preferences'.

Step 3: Find a file named as com.microsoft.Word.plist. Move the file to the desktop.

Start Word, and check whether the problem still occurs.

If the problem still occurs, exit Microsoft Word, and then restore the 'com.microsoft.word.prefs.plist' file to its original location. Then, go to Step 4.

If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the file to the trash.

Note: If you do not locate the file, the program is using the default preferences.

Step 4: Exit all Microsoft Office for Mac programs. Then, Click the Word icon. On the left, click 'Preferences'.

Step 5: Click 'File Locations'.

Step 6: Select 'User templates'.

Step 7: Locate the file that is named Normal, and move the file to the desktop.

You can also find the file named as Normal through this way: 'Library' > 'Application Support' > 'Microsoft' > 'Office' > 'User Templates' > 'Normal'

Start Word, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the 'Normal' file to the trash.

3. Try to Open and Repair Word

Step 1: Start Word. On the File menu, click 'Open'.

Step 2: In the Open dialog box, select the file that you want to open. Click the down arrow on the Open button, click 'Open' > 'Repair'.

Recover Deleted and Missing Word on Mac

Do not worry if the 'Word not opening' issue causes data loss disaster, you can recover unsaved Word document on Mac from its Temporary folder and AutoRecovery save. While for a deleted Word document on Mac, the easiest way of recovery is using a third-party Mac data recovery software.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac also recovers Word document that is missing, deleted or lost due to formatting, virus infection and other misoperation, and the best part of using the software to recover Word is being able to preview the file entirety.

Step 1. Select the location where your important Word documents were lost and click Scan button.

Why Cant Microsoft Word Open A Document On Mac Free

Step 2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will start immediately a quick scan as well as a deep scan on your selected disk volume. Meanwhile, the scanning results will be presented in the left pane.

Step 3. By Path and Type, you can quickly filter the Word files you've lost earlier. Select the target files and click Recover Now button to get them back at once.