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Open Recent shows no files in Word or Excel (Mac)

Anonymous
2023-05-04T12:01:47+00:00

Mac version -- The Open Recent menu entry under File, and the Open Recent right-click option on the Excel/Word icons in the Mac dock no longer show recent files - they just show "More". Even opening a new file never shows that file. This used to work fine. If "More..." is cliked, all the recent files are there in the list.

I am on Insider version 16.74, 23043001.

Microsoft 365 Insider | Word | MacOS

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-05-05T10:43:16+00:00

    Thank you, I found the problem! It is a Mac system setting that I changed that I didn't realize affected Office365 apps. System Settings/Desktop & Dock/Recent documents, applications and servers -it needs to be set to a number for Office365 apps to be able to show recent documents in the menu! It works now, thanks

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-03-07T22:04:12+00:00

    Excellent! This was driving me nuts.

    The path has changed in Sonoma 14.3.1. It's now Systems Settings/Control Center/Recent documents, applications and servers.

    Thanks so much.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2024-04-22T00:55:50+00:00

    I had the same issue but I wasn't able to find the solution in desktop and dock, instead it was System Settings/Control Centre and then right down the bottom there is an option to select "Recent documents, applications and servers" I chose 10 from the dropdown menu and then restarted word and the recent files showed up now. Alternatively just search "number of recent items" in system settings and it will take you there (still need to scroll down).

    I doubt if this is something that we all collectively changed and there is something wrong in the system somewhere so this breaks.

    Thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2023-05-07T02:19:11+00:00

    Hi Don Awalt,

    Thank you for getting back and for giving us an update.

    We are glad to know that the problem is now resolved on your end. We hope that everything is working fine now.

    If you have any other questions, please feel free to post your concerns in the Microsoft Community, we are happy to provide you with instructions and answer all your queries.

    Sincerely


    ReynaldoB

    Microsoft Community Forum Moderator

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2023-05-05T00:26:49+00:00

    Hi Don Awalt

    Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community forum. I hope you're doing well.

    Based on your description, it seems to be that the recent files doesn't show in your Word or Excel on your Mac. Let's work together to find the best solution to this problem.

    To further isolate the problem since you are on Insider version, I would recommend that you check for updates on your Office program. In that way you can get the latest updates on Office. Please refer to this link here for the step y step instructions on how you can check for updates on your Office program. **** Update Office for Mac automatically - Microsoft Support

    I look forward to your reply.

    Sincerely


    ReynaldoB

    Microsoft Community Forum Moderator

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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