Word online is a great tool for collaboration and deletion is part of the creation process. So How to delete a document in word online? In this tutorial, we will look at how to delete documents in word online.
Case-1: On PC
1. locate the word online file you would like to delete
Word Online stores files on the cloud as opposed to the files you save on your computer.
Just like files on your computer, you have files that show up on the homepage as recent files, and the others can be located in folders. Read on to learn how to find a Word online document.
To open the file location, click on the 3 dots on the right side and select the Open file location option
2. Open the folder the document is in
As mentioned in the previous step, open the file location and locate the file.
If you cannot see the document in the Recent, Pinned, or Shared with Me section, click on the More in Drive option. This will take you to your OneDrive account with all the documents.
from here, you can select the file you want to delete.
3. Deleting the document selected
Once you have the file in front of you, there are two ways in which the file can be deleted
Option 1: Select the Word online document you want to delete. Options will appear automatically.
From there, select the Delete option, and your file will be deleted.
Option 2: Right-click the Word document you would like to delete. This will prompt a drop-down menu. From this menu, select the Delete option.
Read How to access all your online word files?
Case-2: on iOS
Follow these steps to delete a Word online document from your iOS device
- Open one drive on your device.
- You can do this by first installing the app on your phone and logging into your account. If you do not want to download the app, you can go to the browser and log in to Drive.
- Once you have logged in to the drive, search the document you want to delete.
- If the document was opened recently, it will show in the recent documents tab.
- If not, you will have to look for it in the main folder
- You can always use the search option to locate the document
- Once you locate the document, select it and click on Delete
- To permanently delete the document, go to the recycle bin
- You will see your file there. Select the document or all contents of the recycle folder
- Empty the recycle bin or permanently delete the document.
Case-3: on Android
Follow these steps.
- Open the One Drive app on your phone. If you do not have the app, log in to one drive from the browser
- You will see all the documents and folders created and saved on the drive
- Search for the document you want to delete
- You can use the search button to locate the document faster
- Once you have the document, a long hold will select it
- Once you select the document, a delete option will show up
- Click on it to delete the document
- Once deleted, go to the section titled Me
- Here, you will find the recycle bin
- Either empty the bin or delete a specific document from the folder
FAQs / Additional Information
How to permanently delete a document?
once you have deleted a Word online document from one drive, the folder is still recoverable. This is because the documents are moved to the Recycle Bin.
Clearing the recycle bin is important to delete a document from Word online permanently. Here is how to do it.
- Find the Recycle bin on the main page. It’s located on the left side of the screen.
- All the documents deleted will show up on the right.
- Select the document or documents you would like to delete
- From there, you can choose to either Restore or permanently delete the documents.
- To Delete, select the Empty Recycle Bin option
Here is a quick guide on how to find the document.
How to find a word online document?
Deleting a document that is not needed seems like an easy task. It actually is, but the first step towards deleting a Word online document is locating it. Sometimes, all the options available can get confusing.
Here is how you can easily locate Word online documents saved on the cloud.
When logged into office.com and launch Word, you will find a list of options. This includes an option to create a new blank document and a few templates to choose from. Below these editing options, you will find
- Recent documents – documents you have recently viewed or edited.
- Pinned – documents that have been pinned and
- Shared with me—these are collaborated documents, the ones you will be able to either only read or edit, depending on the permissions given.
If you cannot find the Word document on the home page, select the More in OneDrive option. Once you locate the document, you can easily delete it.
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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.