MS Word is trash on iPad

Question

Im using an IPad A16 with the latest ios. Using a word, updated. I just lost a really important document.

issues:

auto save not working. Lost hours of work.

if i disable autosave and click on it manually, it does not work. Lost hours to this too.

if i try to save the document as a copy, and save it as the original docs name, the document will be blank. Guess What, lost hours of work to this too.

Totally unuseable for any kind of work on iPad. Shame on MS for this.

Answer 1

It sounds like you're experiencing significant issues with Microsoft Word on your iPad, particularly with the AutoSave feature and document saving. Here are some general troubleshooting steps that might help you resolve these problems:

1. Check AutoSave Settings: Ensure that AutoSave is enabled in your Word settings. Sometimes, toggling it off and then back on can help reset the feature.
2. Save in Different Formats: If saving the document as a copy results in a blank document, try saving it in different formats (like Rich Text Format or Plain Text) to see if that preserves your content.
3. Recover Unsaved Documents: If you lost a document, check if there are any temporary files or unsaved versions available. You can look for .tmp files or check the AutoRecover settings in Word.
4. Update the App: Make sure that your Word app is fully updated. Sometimes, issues can arise from using an outdated version of the app.
5. Reinstall the App: If problems persist, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the Word app to ensure that you have a clean installation.
6. Contact Support: If none of the above steps work, reaching out to Microsoft support may provide you with more tailored assistance for your specific issues.

These steps may help mitigate the problems you're facing with Word on your iPad.

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References:

• How to troubleshoot damaged documents in Word
• How to recover unsaved Word documents

Answer 2

Hi @Becsi Balázs 

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum.    

Thank you for sharing your experience with Word on iPad. I understand how difficult it is to lose hours of work, especially when you’ve invested so much effort. I truly appreciate you taking the time to explain what happened, as it helps us guide you better.  

To help you move forward, here are a few steps and workarounds you can try: 

1/ Understanding AutoSave behavior 

First, it’s important to know that AutoSave only works when the document is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. If the file was saved locally or in another location, AutoSave won’t function as expected. So, please check the document’s storage location and confirm you’re signed in with the correct account. 

To enable AutoSave, you need to: 

• Open or save the file from within Word (or Excel/PowerPoint). 
• Ensure the file is stored in OneDrive (personal, work or school) or SharePoint. 
• Have an active Microsoft 365 subscription 

You can read the full details here: 

• What is AutoSave? - Microsoft Support 
• How do I turn on AutoSave? - Microsoft Support 

2/ Recover previous versions 

Next, if you need to restore an earlier version of your document: 

• Open your file in Word 
• Tap the three-dot menu (top-right) > Choose Version History > Select the latest version (or the one you want to recover). 

If the app closed unexpectedly, you might find a recent version there. 

3/ Manual save issue 

If saving manually isn’t working, this could be related to sync or permissions. A good workaround is to: 

• Save the document under a new name in OneDrive first, then rename it later. 

4/ Prevent future loss 

To avoid similar issues in the future: 

• Make sure Word and iOS are fully updated. 
• Enable AutoSave and confirm the document is in OneDrive. 
• Consider turning on Version History in OneDrive for extra protection. 

As community moderators, we unfortunately do not have the ability to directly modify or disable features within MS Word. However, we strongly encourage you to submit your ticket directly to Microsoft. This ensures that your concerns are seen by the engineering team, who can evaluate and improve the process to avoid causing further inconvenience to users.   

Since you have checked all the steps, but the issue still persists, we believe Microsoft Support Engineering should step in to investigate further. Please reach out to them directly. 

• Ticket Support: In the Microsoft 365 Admin Center>Support>Help & Support. You can raise support ticket. Please note that you’ll need an account with admin rights to sign in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.  
• Phone Support: Microsoft provides customer service phone numbers based on your region. You can find the appropriate contact number here.   

We sincerely apologize once again for the inconvenience you’ve experienced, and we truly appreciate your continued support and engagement with Microsoft.  

I know this isn't the answer you were hoping for, and I want you to know that I wish I had a way to change it for you directly.  

Please understand for us that we do not influence product design decisions and have limited access to internal development details. Our role is to guide users to the right resources and support channels.  

Sending warm wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy and successful New Year.  

Best regards, 

 

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Answer 3

AutoSave to OneDrive requires a rock-solid internet connection. If you connection is iffy, tap on the three-dot icon at the right end of the Ribbon, then choose Save a Copy>On My iPad to save the file to your device.

It's also a good practice on any device to use Save a Copy or File>Save As on any device, so if something goes wrong, you have a recent version available.