How to edit a Word document on Mac

Microsoft Word is the go-to app for creating and saving documents. Microsoft introduced the .docx extension way back in 2007, and after that, it has become the most sought-after format. This article attempts to teach you how to edit a Word document on a Mac.

If you have the Word application installed on your computer, it can be used to create and edit documents. You can purchase the Microsoft Office package or use the online version if you do not have Word. Other programs like Google Docs, Pages, and LibreOffice can be used to edit Word documents on Mac. We suggest you use Word online.

Contents show

How to edit a Word document on Mac

If you have installed the Word application on your Mac system, here are the steps to edit a document.

Use the Finder application on your system to locate and open the file. Here is how it’s done

Click on and open Finder from the docket
Use the search bar to look for the Word document you would like to edit.
If you know the folder the document is saved in, you can go to the folder directly.
Double-click on the document to open it.

Another way to open a Word document on Mac is by opening the Word application. Here is how it’s done.

Go to Launchpad in the docket
You will now have a list of all the applications on your device.

Scroll through the list
You will find Word. Click on it to open it.
Once you have opened the application, you can search for the document from the Word home page.

Once you have the document open, you can edit it using the tools in the top ribbon.

Click on the tab that you would like to go to. For example, you can click Home in the top ribbon to edit the font style, size, color, or text orientation.
So, after you click on the main tab, you can choose the various formatting options under it.

Keyboard shortcuts to edit a Word document in Word

Apart from using the top ribbon, you can also use keyboard shortcuts to do the job faster.

Check out this article on keyboard shortcuts to get a detailed list of keyboard shortcuts you can use. Here are the most common shortcuts.

Copy selected text – Command + C
Past Copied text – Command + V
Cut the selected text – Command + X
Save a document – Command + S
Create a new document – Command + N
Select everything in a document – Command + A
To print a document – Commabd + P

Read How to hide ribbon on Word online

How to edit Word document on Mac without Word

It’s okay if you haven’t purchased the Microsoft Office bundle. Here are a few alternatives you can use.

Use Microsoft Word online to edit Word documents

Word Online is part of Microsoft Office Online. This, unlike the application, is free. To use Word online, all you need to do is create an Outlook account and use it to sign into Office Online. Here are the steps to edit a document using Word online.

Create an Office OUse Microsoft Word online to edit Word documents in your online account.
Go to onedrive.com and log in.

how to change a word document from read-only to edit on mac

Once you log in to OneDrive, you must upload the Word file you need to edit.
There are two ways of uploading a file: you can either drag and drop the file into Word online Or use the Upload option.

how to edit a read-only word document on mac

Click on Upload and select files.
You will now need to choose the folder from which the file must be uploaded.
After the file is uploaded, it will show in one drive
Double-click on the Word document to open
It will open in Word Online in a new tab.
You can make the desired changes online using the options in the top ribbon of Word. Once you have finished editing, save the document using the Save As option in the file menu.
You can choose the desired location on your computer to save the document.

If you need to edit files on the go, you can use Word online on Tabs and mobile devices. You only need to download the Word application on your phone to do this.

Sign in to your account and open the document. You then make changes to the document and save it on the cloud. These documents can be retrieved at any time.

Read How to turn off autocorrect in Microsoft Word online

Use Libre Office to edit Word documents

LibreOffice is a free office suite. This open-source office suit can be downloaded in a few simple steps. LibreOffice is easy to use and considered the best alternative to Microsoft Office. The Libre Writer can be used to edit Word documents. Here are the steps you can follow.

Download Libre Office. For this, you will need to go to their official website libreoffice.org/download/download/
Specify mac os and click on Download
Now follow the instructions and install it on your computer.
Once you have downloaded and installed the application, close it.
Now, go to the folder where the Word application is saved on the computer.
Right-click on the document
Select Open With

Click on LibreOffice Writer.
You can also Tick the box next to Always use this app to open .docx files.
Click on OK
Your Word document will now open in Writer. Make the changes.
Save the document before you close. Use the keyboard shortcut Command + S or Go to Save in the File menu.

Read How to insert captions in Word online

Use Zoho Writer to edit Word documents

Zoho Writer is a tried and tested web service that can be used to edit Word documents. You must create an account using Google, yahoo, or Facebook. Zoho uses a basic word processor, and hence, it is easy to use. Here is how it’s done.

Go to writer.zoha.com and signup.
On the home page, you will see File in the top section
Click on File for a dropdown menu
Select Upload document.
You can either drag and drop the file or select it by browsing the computer.
Once the file is in the box, click on Upload
Click on and select Open now
You can now view and edit the document
Once done, go to File and select Save as

Zoho Writer is available as a mobile application and can be used to edit files on the go.

Conclusion

Word is a great tool when it comes to creating and editing documents on Mac. Word is part of the Microsoft Office package and can be expensive. Hence, using Word online is a great option. Word Online saves all your files on the cloud, making it convenient to access files on the go. Word online is the best option as it can be used on phones and tablets.

I hope you found this article useful. Check out similar articles here:

Carissa

My name is Carissa Gudino and I am an expert in word online, using Word Online in my day-to-day tasks. In this blog, I will share with you tips and tutorials on how to use word online to its fullest potential. I work for various clients in various countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, etc. My tutorials are designed to help beginners, as well as more experienced users, learn new tricks and tips on Microsoft word online. Check out more.