how to repair word document

Question

how to repair word document

Director Childrens CLC 0

Word has run into an error. Need to repair now.

I keep getting the above message, when I open word and even excel.

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Answer recommended by moderator

Stefan Blom 347.6K MVP Volunteer Moderator

Your screen shot suggests Windows 10. The interface for that Windows version does not have the three dots; instead, you click the name of a program and then choose Modify to find the repair option. See the "Windows 10" category in the article at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/lifecycle/repair-an-office-application .

More importantly, your screen shot indicates that your only full version of Office is Office 2013. It may or may not support the online repair option. You can try. I haven't used that particular version in years, so I don't remember which options it has.

The app with the confusing name "Microsoft 365 Copilot" is the unified mobile app to access the mobile Excel, Word, etc. apps. This is not a full Windows version of Office.

Charles Kenyon 169.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-29T04:33:22.0266667+00:00

My recollection is that all versions since at least 2007 used the repair option. With Office 2013 it is important to have both the installation media and product key since it may not be associated with/stored in the Microsoft account.
Stefan Blom 347.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-29T11:40:45.3266667+00:00

Thanks, @Charles Kenyon . I think you are right that the repair option has been around since 2007. However, the implementation has been different. Older versions sometimes required that you repaired via the installation disc (Office 2007 may have been the last one with that requirement, though).
Charles Kenyon 169.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-29T14:00:52.97+00:00

2013 was the first Office to have the product key stored in the account, and not always. It was the start of Office 365.
Stefan Blom 347.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T21:41:11.2266667+00:00

2013 was the first Office to have the product key stored in the account, and not always. It was the start of Office 365.

Indeed.

3 additional answers

Your answer

Charles Kenyon 169.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-29T04:33:22.0266667+00:00

My recollection is that all versions since at least 2007 used the repair option. With Office 2013 it is important to have both the installation media and product key since it may not be associated with/stored in the Microsoft account.
Stefan Blom 347.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-29T11:40:45.3266667+00:00

Thanks, @Charles Kenyon . I think you are right that the repair option has been around since 2007. However, the implementation has been different. Older versions sometimes required that you repaired via the installation disc (Office 2007 may have been the last one with that requirement, though).
Charles Kenyon 169.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-29T14:00:52.97+00:00

2013 was the first Office to have the product key stored in the account, and not always. It was the start of Office 365.
Stefan Blom 347.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-30T21:41:11.2266667+00:00

2013 was the first Office to have the product key stored in the account, and not always. It was the start of Office 365.

Indeed.

Answer 1

Stefan Blom 347.6K MVP Volunteer Moderator

An Online Repair is often required (instead of the Repair Now option). For more, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/lifecycle/repair-an-office-application .

Since an Online Repair normally ends with a reinstall of Office, make sure that you can access your account at https://account.microsoft.com/services and that your Office product is associated with it.

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Answer 2

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Answer 3

Hendrix-C 19,970 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi,

Based on your sharing, that error means that the Office installation is having issue and asking you to perform an Office Repair. You can follow the steps below to repair your Office:

Close all Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
Go to Settings (or use Windows + I shortcut) > Apps > Installed Apps
Find Microsoft 365/Office in the list > select the three dots (…) next to it and choose Modify.
If prompted by User Account Control, select Yes.
Run Quick Repair first. If the issue persists, run Online Repair later.

Note: This process requires stable internet connection and may take several minutes to complete.

User's image

You can give it a try and let me know whether it works. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out again in the comments on this post. I'm happy to assist you further

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

If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes" and kindly upvote it.

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Director Childrens CLC 0 Reputation points

2026-07-28T17:05:33.19+00:00

The following options pop up for me:

Do I select the Microsoft 365 Pilot option? Also, there are no 3 dots next to it, nor the option to "Modify." What should I do?
Hendrix-C 19,970 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-28T17:41:34.3133333+00:00

Hi,

Based on your screenshot, you're likely using Windows 10 device but the steps I provided are for Windows 11 so it may be different.

For Windows 10, there is no three dot option and you need to select the Office app directly (in your case, you need to click the Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2013) > you will see a Modify button > select and run Office Repair as I guided in my initial post.
Hendrix-C 19,970 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-29T22:35:44.26+00:00

Good day,

Hope things are running smoothly on your end.

Following up on the support thread we've been working on. If you need assistance with anything else, kindly respond to this post, and I will be happy to help.

I want to make sure everything is working as expected and that your experience remains uninterrupted.

Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout the troubleshooting process.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.