Why can’t I open/create a new document?

Question

I have an iPad running iPadOS 18.5. For about 2 weeks, I haven't been able to create a new document in Word. When I try to create one from the “New” tab, it doesn’t work. If I delete the app and try again, I can create one new document, but only once. When I try to create another new file, it fails again. Also, every documents disappear. Please help me resolve this issue.

Answer 1

It sounds like you're experiencing issues with creating new documents in Microsoft Word on your iPad. Here are some potential solutions to resolve this issue:

1. Check for Updates: Ensure that both your iPadOS and the Microsoft Word app are up to date. Sometimes, bugs are fixed in newer versions.
2. Clear Storage Space: If your device is low on storage, it may affect the ability to create new documents. Check your available storage and clear some space if necessary.
3. Reinstall the App: Since you mentioned that deleting the app allows you to create one document, try uninstalling it again, then reinstalling it without restoring from a backup. This can sometimes resolve underlying issues.
4. Add a SharePoint Place: If you are trying to save documents to SharePoint, ensure that you have added the SharePoint site to your Office app. This can help in managing your documents better.
5. Check for File Format Issues: If you are trying to open or create a document in a specific format, ensure that the format is supported by the app.

If these steps do not resolve your issue, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for further assistance.

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References:

• Unable to open Office files from SharePoint 2010 on an iPad
• You receive an error message when you try to open an Office document

Answer 2

Dear @Ayano Sugita,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum. I understand that on an iPad running iPadOS 18.5, the Word app intermittently fails to create a new document from New, only works once after reinstalling, and previously created documents “disappear.”

To better assistance, could you please confirm following information:

• Where are you trying to save the new file (OneDrive, iCloud Drive, or On My iPad)?
• Do you see any error message when “New” fails?
• Are you using work/education which provided by your organization or personal account to log-in Word?
• Does this happen for all documents or only after the first one?
• Have you updated Word and iPadOS to the latest version?

In the meantime, I recommend some steps below:
1/ Reset Word cleanly

On your iPad, go to Settings > General > iPad Storage > Word

Tap Offload App (this removes the app but keeps its data), then reinstall Word from the App Store.

If the issue persists, tap Delete App, reinstall Word from the App Store, and sign in again with your Microsoft 365 account.

2/ Immediately save the first new document

Open Word and tap New > Blank document.

Before closing or switching apps, tap … (More) in the top-right corner.

Choose Save or Save As, then select a location > Naming the document . Avoid leaving it unnamed because unsaved drafts only exist in temporary cache and can disappear if the app closes.

3/ Update Word and iPadOS

Open the App Store, go to Updates, and ensure Word is on the latest version.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available iPadOS updates.

Updates often fix compatibility issues and improve stability.

4/ Check storage and cloud sync

Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage and confirm you have enough free space.

Open the OneDrive or Files app and verify that your account is signed in and syncing properly.

If saving to OneDrive fails, try saving On My iPad first, then upload to OneDrive later to confirm if the issue is sync-related.

Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.

I truly appreciate your patience and understanding. If I misunderstood what you’re looking for, feel free to let me know or share a screenshot. I’d be happy to help further!

I'm looking forward for your reply. Thank you for your cooperation.

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