Messenger is built around photos and videos, so it isn’t always obvious how to send a Word document. It can be done from a phone or a computer, though. On a phone, the most reliable method is to share the file into Messenger from the Files app or the Word app. On a computer, you can attach the file right in the chat window. This guide covers iPhone, Android, and desktop, plus what to do when a file is too large.
Quick answer
On a phone, open the Word document in the Files app, Word app, or your file manager, tap Share, choose Messenger, pick the person, and tap Send. On a computer, open the chat at messenger.com or on Facebook, click the attach file icon, select the .docx file, and press Enter.
How to send a Word file in Messenger on iPhone
- Open the Files app and find the Word document. If it’s in an email or another app, save it to Files first.
- Press and hold the file, then tap Share. You can also open the file and tap the share icon (a square with an arrow).
- In the share sheet, tap Messenger. If you don’t see it, swipe to the end of the app row, tap More, and turn Messenger on.
- Tap Send next to the person or group you want to send it to.
- Tap Done.
If you have the Microsoft Word app, you can also open the document, tap the share button at the top, choose Send a copy, and then pick Messenger.
How to send a Word file in Messenger on Android
- Open your phone’s Files or My Files app and find the document, usually in the Downloads or Documents folder.
- Press and hold the file to select it.
- Tap Share.
- Choose Messenger from the list of apps.
- Tap Send next to the contact or group.
Depending on your version of Messenger, you may also see a file option when you tap the + button in a chat. If it’s there, tap it, browse to the document, and send it from inside the conversation.
How to send a Word file in Messenger on a computer
- Go to messenger.com or open a chat on facebook.com, or use the Messenger desktop app.
- Open the conversation with the person you want to send the file to.
- Click the + or attach file icon next to the message box.
- Select the Word document and click Open.
- Add a message if you’d like, then press Enter to send.
You can also drag the .docx file from File Explorer or Finder and drop it into the chat window. To send several documents at once, hold Ctrl (or Command on a Mac) while selecting files.
What the recipient sees
The document appears in the chat as a file with its name and size. The recipient can tap it to preview or download it. On a phone, it opens in Word, Google Docs, or another document app if one is installed.
If the file is too big or won’t send
- Size limit: Messenger caps attachment size. Word documents are usually small, but large files with lots of images can hit the limit. Compress the pictures in Word with File > Compress Pictures, or save the file as a PDF.
- Share a link instead: Upload the document to OneDrive or Google Drive, create a share link, and paste the link into the Messenger chat. This also lets you update the file without sending it again.
- Update Messenger: Older versions of the app may not show Messenger in the share sheet or may fail to send files. Update it from the App Store or Google Play.
- Check permissions: On Android, make sure Messenger can access files under Settings > Apps > Messenger > Permissions.
- Try another network: A weak connection can cause uploads to stall. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
Should you send it as a PDF?
If the recipient only needs to read the document, a PDF is often the better choice. It looks the same on every device and can’t be edited by accident. In Word, choose File > Save As (or Export) and pick PDF, then send that file the same way. Send the .docx when the other person needs to edit it.
Want to save media people send you? See how to save pictures from Messenger on iPhone.
Related: How to play games on Messenger.
Frequently asked questions
Why don’t I see a file option in the Messenger app?
Some versions of Messenger only show photos and videos in the attachment menu. Use the Share option from the Files or Word app instead. It works on both iPhone and Android.
Can I send a Word file in a Messenger group chat?
Yes. Choose the group instead of a single person in the share list, or attach the file inside the group chat on a computer.
Can the other person edit the Word file I send?
Yes. They receive a copy of the file. Once they download it and open it in Word or another editor, they can make changes, but those changes won’t update your copy. Use a shared OneDrive link if you want to work on one version together.
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.