How to share MS Word document to be edited by someone without MS Word?

Question

I am ready to share a Word document with a person without the app - I would like them to have full editing capability.

Answer 1

Note that editing done in any application other than the desktop Word application can mess up your layout/formatting/numbering. This includes the Word for the web app.

Other options would include LibreOffice and GoogleDocs.

Answer 2

Hi, @Betty McQueen

Yes, they can edit the document without having the Word desktop app installed.

Save the Word document to OneDrive, then open it in Word and select "Share." Set the permission to "Can edit" and send them the sharing link.

They can open and edit the document in Word for the web using a browser.

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To help narrow this down:

1. Is the document already saved in OneDrive?
2. Does the person have a Microsoft account, or do you need them to edit it without signing in?

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Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Thanks!

Answer 3

Save the document to OneDrive and share it from there with editing enabled. The recipient can edit it in Word for the web without needing the Word app.

Steps:

1. Open the document in Word.
2. Select Share in the top-right corner.
3. If prompted, save the document to OneDrive.
4. Enter the person’s email address.
5. Set permissions so they can edit.
6. Add an optional message and select Send.

If the file is already open in Word for the web, use Share > Copy link and set the permission to Edit. Anyone with that link can edit in the browser without signing in. Some features still require signing in with a Microsoft account, such as inserting a picture or using the Office desktop program.

If editing is blocked when they open it in Word for the web, they can select Edit Document > Edit. If the owner did not allow editing, they can only create a copy unless editing permission is changed.

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References:

• Share a document
• Share access to a file with no sign-in necessary
• Edit a document in Word for the web