Microsoft Word works well on an iPad, especially with a keyboard and an Apple Pencil. You can write, edit, and format documents, collaborate in real time, and pick up where you left off on your computer. Whether you can edit for free depends on your iPad’s screen size, though. This guide covers how to get Word on your iPad, what’s free, and how to use the most important features.
Quick answer
Download Microsoft Word from the App Store, open it, and sign in with your Microsoft account. Tap New (the + button) to create a document or open one from OneDrive, iCloud, or your iPad. On iPads with screens larger than 10.1 inches, you’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription to edit; smaller iPads can edit with a free account.
Step 1: Install Word
- Open the App Store on your iPad.
- Search for Microsoft Word and confirm the developer is Microsoft Corporation.
- Tap Get and wait for it to install.
Microsoft also offers an all-in-one Microsoft 365 app that includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The standalone Word app usually gives you the fullest set of Word features on iPad.
Step 2: Sign in
Open Word and sign in with a Microsoft account. A free account is enough to read documents and, on smaller iPads, to edit them. If you have Microsoft 365 through work, school, or a personal subscription, sign in with that account to unlock everything.
Free vs. Microsoft 365 on iPad
| iPad screen size | Free Microsoft account | Microsoft 365 subscription |
|---|---|---|
| 10.1 inches or smaller | Create and edit with core features | All premium features |
| Larger than 10.1 inches (most current iPads) | View and print only | Create and edit with all features |
Microsoft defines these limits, and they can change, so check the App Store listing if you’re unsure. If you can’t edit, a free alternative is Word for the web in Safari: sign in at microsoft365.com and use Word in your browser at no cost.
Step 3: Create or open a document
- New document: Tap New and pick Blank document or a template, such as a resume or report.
- Open a file: Tap Open and browse OneDrive, SharePoint, iCloud Drive, or On My iPad.
- From an email or the Files app: Tap the Word attachment or file, then tap the share icon and choose Word.
Step 4: Find your way around
Word for iPad uses the same ribbon as the desktop version. Tap a tab like Home, Insert, Draw, Layout, Review, or View to see its tools.
- Home: fonts, bold, lists, alignment, and styles.
- Insert: tables, pictures, shapes, links, and page breaks.
- Draw: write and highlight with your finger or an Apple Pencil.
- Review: track changes and comments.
Tap the active tab again to collapse the ribbon and get more room to write. Pinch to zoom in and out.
Step 5: Save and share
Documents stored in OneDrive save automatically as you work. For files saved elsewhere, tap the File (or menu) button and choose Save or Save a Copy. To share, tap the Share button at the top to invite people to edit or send a copy or PDF. Need to sign something? See how to sign a Word document on iPad.
Collaborate with comments and tracked changes
Open the Review tab to work on documents with other people. Turn on Track Changes so your edits are marked for others to accept or reject, and tap New Comment to leave a note on selected text. If the file is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, people can edit at the same time, and you’ll see their names or initials where they’re working.
Tips for working faster
- Use a keyboard. Common shortcuts like Command + B, Command + I, and Command + Z work.
- Split View. Open Word alongside Safari or Notes to research while you write.
- Dictate. Tap the microphone in the Home tab or on the on-screen keyboard to type with your voice.
- Work offline. Open files while you’re online so they’re available without a connection, then they sync when you reconnect.
Related: How to install Microsoft Word on Windows and Mac.
Frequently asked questions
Is Word free on iPad?
The app is free to download. Editing is free on iPads with screens 10.1 inches or smaller. Larger iPads need Microsoft 365 to edit in the app, but Word for the web is free in Safari.
Can I use Word on iPad without internet?
Yes, for files saved on your iPad or already downloaded. You need to be online to sign in the first time and to sync OneDrive files.
Does Word on iPad have all the desktop features?
Most everyday features are there. Some advanced tools, like macros and certain mail merge options, are only in the desktop version.
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.