How do I use thetext recovery converter on word?

Question

How do I use thetext recovery converter on word?

Christi Manley 206

I have a corrupted file. Word suggests I use the text recovery converter. where is that?

Locked Question. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

Emi Zhang-MSFT 30,191 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2022-08-01T09:17:10.547+00:00

Hi @Christi Manley ,

Just checking in to see if the information was helpful. Please let us know if you would like further assistance.

If the response is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.
Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.
Michael Smith 30 Reputation points

2023-01-31T00:20:40.42+00:00

I have had the same problem. Supplied a screen shot of recommendation from Microsoft Word.
Michael Smith 30 Reputation points

2023-01-31T00:23:54.07+00:00
Stefan Blom 339.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-01-31T00:46:30.45+00:00

I have had the same problem. Supplied a screen shot of recommendation from Microsoft Word.

Michael,

Word recommends text recovery when it doesn't recognize a file. Often, it won't help, though, because the file is actually damaged.

I recommend that you start a new thread instead of posting a follow-up to a thread started in July 2022.
Dean Newfield 0 Reputation points

2023-05-08T05:20:02.0533333+00:00

Hi there,

I am having trouble with file permissions and would like some help please.

Kind regards,

Dean Newfield
John Korchok 231.5K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2023-05-08T16:10:23.93+00:00

No on will see your request, because you hijacked a thread about another subject. Please start a new thread and include more information, like you version of Office, operating system and details about what file permission problem you're having. Post the exact wording ofr a screen shot of any error messages.
Gloria Verger 0 Reputation points

2023-09-03T17:12:20.57+00:00

Hi Everyone, I haven't tried this yet, but will in a few minutes. It's been a while, but I'm guessing I purchased Window7 a while ago. The way Microsoft deleted the info so it could no longer be used I thought was crude, unfair or maybe not really legal. I think everyone who has paid for Windows 7 should receive money back or at least a credit towards purchasing Microsoft 365. Anyone else feel this way?
Peter Salza 0 Reputation points

2023-09-08T16:00:03.22+00:00

Need help Corrupted file North Carolina
Yitagesu Gesit 10 Reputation points

2023-10-16T11:08:12.8666667+00:00

I have a corrupted file. Word suggests I use the text recovery converter. where is that?
Stefan Blom 339.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-10-16T12:07:13.0266667+00:00

Deleted message
Shadetree Sam 0 Reputation points

2023-12-17T03:47:03.0033333+00:00

Windows and Microsoft Office (Microsoft 365) are two different products, so a license for Windows 7 doesn't entitle you to Microsoft 365. What may have happened to you is that a trial version of Microsoft 365 was included with the computer when you bought it, and it stopped working when the trial version expired. You probably know this by now, but you'll have to purchase either a subscription to Microsoft 365 or a license for Microsoft Office to get the Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). Alternatively, you can purchase individual licenses for each app, but if you want to use more than one app, it's cheaper to buy the Office (or Microsoft 365) bundle of apps.
Shadetree Sam 0 Reputation points

2024-01-02T04:52:30.4366667+00:00

I was able to upload the .docx file to my google drive, save it in google docs format, and download it as a Word document, but still couldn't open the downloaded .docx file in Word. My Google Drive was last updated in August, 2023, and I'm running Word 365 Version 2312 Build 16.0.17126.20078) 64-bit. I'm still looking for directions on how to run the Microsoft Text Recovery Converter, but haven't found any.
Pete Wilburn 180 Reputation points

2024-01-03T08:08:02.55+00:00
@Shadetree Sam

To use the text recovery tool, you do the following:

Open Word

Click File (top left)

Click Open (top left)

Click Browse (Other Locations)

Note: Don't open the file from the built in file explorer, click on Browse or OneDrive or another location so as to open the Open Window

In the Open Window, the file type field is above the Open button and the Cancel button. [ All Files (.) ]

Click on the file type field to open the file type drop down menu.

Select "Recover Text from Any File (.)"

Open the damaged file (if you can)

Delete the binary data at the start and end of the file before saving.

Save the file.

This tool didn't work for me when I had trouble, which is why I devised the google drive/docs method.

Check the link below for other methods to fixing damaged word files. This list of methods is pretty comprehensive and includes the "Recover Text from Any File" method and the Save the document to other formats method, which is like the google drive/docs method.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot/word/damaged-documents-in-word

YMMV and no method is guaranteed. Good luck.
Louise Kelly 0 Reputation points

2024-09-02T06:24:20.56+00:00

Didnt work but now know where 'recover text from any file is hidden', thank you
Saf Sied 6 Reputation points

2024-09-15T23:06:42.1566667+00:00
In case you or someone else is still having the same issue. You can resolve it as follows:

In Word, select the File Menu, and then select Open.

In the Files of type box, select Recover Text from Any File(.).

Select the document from which you want to recover the text.

Select Open.

Ref: Method 4 of this Microsoft 365 Troubleshooting article
Stefan Blom 339.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-07-20T19:09:43.12+00:00

This thread will now be closed. For any new questions regarding the matter, please start a new thread.

6 answers

Emi Zhang-MSFT 30,191 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2022-08-01T09:17:10.547+00:00

Hi @Christi Manley ,

Just checking in to see if the information was helpful. Please let us know if you would like further assistance.

If the response is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.
Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.
Michael Smith 30 Reputation points

2023-01-31T00:20:40.42+00:00

I have had the same problem. Supplied a screen shot of recommendation from Microsoft Word.
Michael Smith 30 Reputation points

2023-01-31T00:23:54.07+00:00
Stefan Blom 339.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-01-31T00:46:30.45+00:00

I have had the same problem. Supplied a screen shot of recommendation from Microsoft Word.

Michael,

Word recommends text recovery when it doesn't recognize a file. Often, it won't help, though, because the file is actually damaged.

I recommend that you start a new thread instead of posting a follow-up to a thread started in July 2022.
Dean Newfield 0 Reputation points

2023-05-08T05:20:02.0533333+00:00

Hi there,

I am having trouble with file permissions and would like some help please.

Kind regards,

Dean Newfield
John Korchok 231.5K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2023-05-08T16:10:23.93+00:00

No on will see your request, because you hijacked a thread about another subject. Please start a new thread and include more information, like you version of Office, operating system and details about what file permission problem you're having. Post the exact wording ofr a screen shot of any error messages.
Gloria Verger 0 Reputation points

2023-09-03T17:12:20.57+00:00

Hi Everyone, I haven't tried this yet, but will in a few minutes. It's been a while, but I'm guessing I purchased Window7 a while ago. The way Microsoft deleted the info so it could no longer be used I thought was crude, unfair or maybe not really legal. I think everyone who has paid for Windows 7 should receive money back or at least a credit towards purchasing Microsoft 365. Anyone else feel this way?
Peter Salza 0 Reputation points

2023-09-08T16:00:03.22+00:00

Need help Corrupted file North Carolina
Yitagesu Gesit 10 Reputation points

2023-10-16T11:08:12.8666667+00:00

I have a corrupted file. Word suggests I use the text recovery converter. where is that?
Stefan Blom 339.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-10-16T12:07:13.0266667+00:00

Deleted message
Shadetree Sam 0 Reputation points

2023-12-17T03:47:03.0033333+00:00

Windows and Microsoft Office (Microsoft 365) are two different products, so a license for Windows 7 doesn't entitle you to Microsoft 365. What may have happened to you is that a trial version of Microsoft 365 was included with the computer when you bought it, and it stopped working when the trial version expired. You probably know this by now, but you'll have to purchase either a subscription to Microsoft 365 or a license for Microsoft Office to get the Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). Alternatively, you can purchase individual licenses for each app, but if you want to use more than one app, it's cheaper to buy the Office (or Microsoft 365) bundle of apps.
Shadetree Sam 0 Reputation points

2024-01-02T04:52:30.4366667+00:00

I was able to upload the .docx file to my google drive, save it in google docs format, and download it as a Word document, but still couldn't open the downloaded .docx file in Word. My Google Drive was last updated in August, 2023, and I'm running Word 365 Version 2312 Build 16.0.17126.20078) 64-bit. I'm still looking for directions on how to run the Microsoft Text Recovery Converter, but haven't found any.
Pete Wilburn 180 Reputation points

2024-01-03T08:08:02.55+00:00

@Shadetree Sam

To use the text recovery tool, you do the following:

Open Word

Click File (top left)

Click Open (top left)

Click Browse (Other Locations)

Note: Don't open the file from the built in file explorer, click on Browse or OneDrive or another location so as to open the Open Window

In the Open Window, the file type field is above the Open button and the Cancel button. [ All Files (.) ]

Click on the file type field to open the file type drop down menu.

Select "Recover Text from Any File (.)"

Open the damaged file (if you can)

Delete the binary data at the start and end of the file before saving.

Save the file.

This tool didn't work for me when I had trouble, which is why I devised the google drive/docs method.

Check the link below for other methods to fixing damaged word files. This list of methods is pretty comprehensive and includes the "Recover Text from Any File" method and the Save the document to other formats method, which is like the google drive/docs method.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot/word/damaged-documents-in-word

YMMV and no method is guaranteed. Good luck.
Louise Kelly 0 Reputation points

2024-09-02T06:24:20.56+00:00

Didnt work but now know where 'recover text from any file is hidden', thank you
Saf Sied 6 Reputation points

2024-09-15T23:06:42.1566667+00:00

In case you or someone else is still having the same issue. You can resolve it as follows:

In Word, select the File Menu, and then select Open.

In the Files of type box, select Recover Text from Any File(.).

Select the document from which you want to recover the text.

Select Open.

Ref: Method 4 of this Microsoft 365 Troubleshooting article
Stefan Blom 339.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-07-20T19:09:43.12+00:00

This thread will now be closed. For any new questions regarding the matter, please start a new thread.

Answer 1

Pete Wilburn 180

This is what I did to recover a word file with the error shown above.

Upload file to google drive.

Open in google drive.

Convert to google docs file.

Convert to word file.

Download new word file.

The document was recovered including formatting, pictures, textboxes, equations, etc.

Salim, Maria 20 Reputation points

2023-06-21T15:48:35.89+00:00

genius!! this was so helpful!! thank you sm totally saved my work
Alan Berow 35 Reputation points

2023-07-24T02:48:51.2866667+00:00

I have no idea how you came up with this idea, but it worked when no MS advice or tool did. Thank you.
Zipporah 35 Reputation points

2023-08-21T23:10:11.6033333+00:00

Mr. Pete,

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!! I CAN NOT SAY IT ENOUGH!!!! For over an hour I tried everything I have known to do in my decades of working with Word. NOTHING HELPED! I'm so grateful for whoever began this thread and more than GRATEFUL that you answered!!! God bless you!!!!
Zipporah 35 Reputation points

2023-08-21T23:11:13.5233333+00:00

Thank you!
Mohammad Habeeb 0 Reputation points

2023-09-30T15:22:27.2633333+00:00

even google drive could not help open it.
Anonymous

2023-10-18T14:29:12.39+00:00

Tried that. Template and other file info has been stripped out.
imajwru 10 Reputation points

2023-10-24T21:48:58.63+00:00

How do you upload the corrupted Word file to Google Drive? Please explain as Step 1; Step2, etc. Thank you.
Stefan Blom 339.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-10-24T22:25:54.8833333+00:00

How do you upload the corrupted Word file to Google Drive? Please explain as Step 1; Step2, etc. Thank you.

imajwru,

See https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2424368?hl=en .
Pete Wilburn 180 Reputation points

2023-10-24T22:40:24.0666667+00:00
Sure. Here it is using a browser.

Go to google.com.

Click the Sign in button at the top right.

If you don’t have a google/gmail account, then sign up for one.

Click on google apps icon in the top right, it’s a 9 little circles icon.

Click on Drive.

At the top left under the drive icon, click on the + New button.

Click on File upload. Upload your corrupted file.

Click on recent on the left, 5 down from the Drive icon.

Click on the file that you uploaded, it will open in Google docs.

Click the File menu icon at the top left, click on Save as Google Docs.

A new tab will open with the new google docs file.

Click on the File menu icon, click on Download -> Microsoft Word (.docx)

Open the new Word document.

Save revisions of your work regularly so hopefully you don’t have to do this again.

Good luck. Hope this helps.

Cheers.
imajwru 10 Reputation points

2023-10-24T23:36:18.81+00:00

Thank you so much!! I will be trying that. Hopefully, my Word files are salvageable. (---:>
Daniel D Moster 0 Reputation points

2024-08-26T06:32:23.2166667+00:00

Yooo I just went from I wanna crash my car into a telephone pole to we're so back, thanks bro
Pacquitta Laverents 0 Reputation points

2024-09-15T21:32:13.3566667+00:00

Excellent suggestion. It worked for me. Thank you!!
Kelvin Spencer 0 Reputation points

2024-10-11T13:07:23.61+00:00

2024 October and this comment saved my 35 pages project. Cheers man I hope everything good comes your way 😊😊
Vicky Howe 0 Reputation points

2024-11-19T23:01:01.2666667+00:00

Thank You! This saved me hours!
Maha Ahmed 0 Reputation points

2024-12-02T01:43:15.3766667+00:00

You are a lifesaver :)
Anonymous

2024-12-20T04:37:35.15+00:00

I love you
Blessing Dare 0 Reputation points

2025-02-20T17:18:02.2233333+00:00

it did not work for me. so sad.
Bravo, Sofia 0 Reputation points

2025-04-15T12:50:22.6633333+00:00

Thank you so much!!!! I didnt recovered everything but at least I recovered the text <3
Tom A 21 Reputation points

2025-06-30T15:56:26.3833333+00:00

This was the only thing that worked for me out of all of the solutions. Thank you!

Answer 2

Stefan Blom 339.2K MVP Volunteer Moderator

The text recovery converter refers to choosing the Recover Text from Any File file type in the File > Open > Browse dialog box (applies to Word for Windows at least).

Shadetree Sam 0 Reputation points

2024-01-04T02:21:21.5066667+00:00

I followed these steps and when I tried to open the Word document, I got a popup message "There was an error opening the file." The message popped up immediately and there was no sign that the Text Recovery Converter ever ran. I'm running Word for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2312 Build 16.0.17126.20078) 64-bit.
Kelvin Spencer 0 Reputation points

2024-10-11T13:06:24.8366667+00:00

...............

Answer 3

SuVajra 0

While following the instruction you have given, I tried to open my word file and documents on my floppy. They didn't open. There were messages - not readable and not openable on my google drive. Is there any other option to open those files?

Stefan Blom 339.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-07-20T17:02:57.1366667+00:00

[---] I tried to open my word file and documents on my floppy. They didn't open. There were messages - not readable and not openable on my google drive. Is there any other option to open those files?

SuVajra,

Opening documents directly from removable media will often lead to document corruption. These documents are usually damaged beyond recovery.

For future reference, the best approach is to copy your files to your hard drive before you start editing them.

P.S. Note that it is often better to start a new thread for a separate question. The current thread was started in 2022.

Answer 4

Brilliant, I have been tearing my hair out trying to find a solution for my husbands computer. All his documents of which there are a lot are refusing to open. The first time I tried it worked. Now I need to school my husband on what to do, he is finding it confusing. He is into Genealogy and has years of research he cannot access. We will have to use your guide a lot.

Thank you so much

Answer 5

Hi @Christi Manley ,
Where did you get the message about "text recovery converter"?
Could you provide the screenshot about the message in Word?
As far as I know you can refer to this support article about "Recover your Word files and documents":

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/recover-your-word-files-and-documents-5851ef9c-dcd6-4c42-9364-ad3416d8497d

Please be a bit more precise to explain your requirement or you can upload a screenshot so that I can get more accurate solutions to this problem. I’m glad to help and follow up your reply.

If the response is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.
Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

57291279 40 Reputation points

2025-05-21T20:19:01.3966667+00:00

Emily, if you read up, you will see OP provided everything you are asking for. I see you do this a lot, answer questions with questions then ask to mark as answer. It is a waste of time. Please read the threads and look at screenshots before you reply, and if you don't know the answer, no need to reply just to get points for replies.

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How do I use thetext recovery converter on word?

6 answers

Thank you!