To open a file in Microsoft Word, select File > Open (or press Ctrl + O), then choose a recent document or select Browse to find the file on your PC. You can also double-click a .docx file in File Explorer, and it opens in Word automatically.
Word opens its own formats (.docx, .doc, .dotx), plus .rtf, .txt, .odt, and PDFs, which it converts into an editable document.
Quick Answer
Press Ctrl + O in Word, select Browse, pick the file, and select Open.
Method 1: Use File > Open
- Open Word.
- Select File, then Open. (From the start screen, select Open on the left.)
- Choose a file under Recent, or select Browse.
- In the Open window, go to the folder, select the file, and select Open.
Tip: Press Ctrl + F12 to jump straight to the Browse window.
Method 2: Open From File Explorer
- Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
- Go to the file.
- Double-click it. If it opens in another app, right-click it and choose Open with > Word.
To make Word the default, choose Open with > Choose another app, select Word, and check Always use this app.
Method 3: Open a File From OneDrive or SharePoint
- In Word, select File > Open.
- Select OneDrive or Sites on the left. Sign in if prompted.
- Pick the file. Cloud files open with AutoSave on.
Open Other File Types
| File type | What happens |
|---|---|
| .docx, .docm | Opens normally |
| .doc (Word 97–2003) | Opens in Compatibility Mode. Use File > Info > Convert to update it. |
| Word converts it to an editable document. Complex layouts may shift. | |
| .odt, .rtf, .txt | Opens; some formatting may change |
| Email attachments | Open in Protected View; select Enable Editing if you trust the sender |
For PDFs with complex layouts, see our guide to converting PDF to Word.
Troubleshooting
- “Word found unreadable content”: Select Yes to recover what it can, or use File > Open > Browse, select the file, and choose Open and Repair from the arrow next to Open.
- The file is read-only or locked: Someone else may have it open, or it’s marked read-only. Check with others, or right-click the file in File Explorer, choose Properties, and clear Read-only.
- Can’t find a document you were working on: Check File > Open > Recover Unsaved Documents at the bottom of the Recent list. Here’s more on how to recover an unsaved Word document.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I open a file on a Mac?
In Word, select File > Open or press Command + O, then select the file.
Can I pin a file so it’s always at the top of Recent?
Yes. Hover over it in the Recent list and select the pin icon.
Summary
- Press Ctrl + O and pick a recent file or select Browse.
- Or double-click the file in File Explorer.
- Use Open and Repair for damaged files.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.