Can't edit documents on Word app on iPad

Hello,

Please see attached one of the documents I downloaded from my email onto iCloud, but am unable to edit; it will show the editing options are grayed out . I’m not getting an error messages; I just cannot do anything to any documents that are downloaded. I have an account through my college, and so I should be able to do these things. I have uninstalled and reinstalled Word several times, signed out and back in several times, moved the documents from iCloud to an offline documents folder via OneDrive, sent the documents as an attachment to different emails and downloaded them from there, and sent the document via Bluetooth; nothing has helped. Thank you.

I’m having the same issue. My documents were uploaded from an old MacBook, so were an older version of word, which I thought might be the issues, however I also uploaded files from an old version of excel, and can edit those just fine. As with you, all I can do is create new word documents. What’s strange is I can move my cursor around within the document, but can’t edit.

Hi AliciaJohnson4,

Welcome to Microsoft Office Community Forum. Thank you for sharing your concern with us today and we hope that all is well.

We understand that you are trying to edit your documents on Word for iPad and unable to because you it is not available. This might be caused of your account not sign in or the app unable to recognize your account or else we need to check if the application needs to be uninstall and reinstalled. To better assist you we will ask for few questions and please provide information/details.

1. Is this happening only on Word application? How about other Office apps (Excel and PowerPoint)?
2. May we ask for a screenshot of the Homepage of Word app in your iPad?
3. Have you tried to install and uninstall the Office Word?
4. To confirm, may we know if you are subscribe to Microsoft 365 Family or Business/Enterprise/University provided Office license?
5. Can you please share to us the troubleshooting you have perform so far?

Kindly let us know, if there is any misunderstanding of our description by sending us a reply.

We look forward to your response. If you have other clarifications about this matter, you can get back to us by replying to this post.

Sincerely,

Kathy A.

Consumer M365 Forum Moderator

Microsoft Community

Hi AliciaJohnson4,

We have not been able to get a hold of you and we will have to proceed with the archiving of this thread.

Please know that we have sent you a response regarding your concern. If any case, that was not the help you needed. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Microsoft Support Team. As a Microsoft 365 subscriber you are entitled to free technical support. Please be guided of the steps below on how to contact them.

Make sure you are signed into your account. If you have the Microsoft 365 Family subscription, you will have the option to be scheduled for a callback. Please follow the steps below to contact Microsoft Support.

1. Kindly use this website - Contact Microsoft Support. Type your Concern on the Search bar.
2. Press enter or click Get Help.
3. Select Contact Support
4. Select one of the listed Products and Services.
5. Next, select correct Category of your concern.
6. Select Confirm
7. You will be provided with Support Option.

Illustration:

NOTE:

• Microsoft 365 (Family/Personal) subscribers will have Support Options for a scheduled callback or Chat
• NON - Microsoft 365 subscribers will only have Chat Support Option.
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Thanks again for choosing Microsoft! We’re here when you need us.

Sincerely,

Kathy A.

Consumer Office Forum Moderator

Microsoft Community

Hi Michael D-V,

Welcome to Microsoft Office Community Forum. Thank you for sharing your concern with us today and we hope that all is well.

I find your concern quite strange because you should have the ability to edit the file in Word application regardless if it is old or new document. Unless the file is on Read Only or currented . To confirm things out, we'd like to know more about your concern in details. Kindly provide us answer/information from the questions below:

1. May we ask for a screenshot for any error message you encounter when editing the file in your iPad?
2. Are you using OneDrive or iCloud in storing the affected Excel and Word files?
3. Are you are subscribe to Microsoft 365 Family or Business/Enterprise/University provided Office license?
4. Have you tried any troubleshooting? Can you please share it with us?

Kindly let us know, if there is any misunderstanding of our description by sending us a reply.

We look forward to your response. If you have other clarifications about this matter, you can get back to us by replying to this post.

Sincerely,

Kathy A.

Consumer M365 Forum Moderator

Microsoft Community