How do I use thetext recovery converter on word?

Christi Manley 171

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

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Emi Zhang-MSFT 30,141 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

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

Hi @Christi Manley ,

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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 328.8K 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 226.9K 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 328.8K 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 170 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 328.8K 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

SuVajra 0 Reputation points

2025-07-20T09:55:12.0533333+00:00

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?
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Stefan Blom 328.8K 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.

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How do I use thetext recovery converter on word?

6 answers