To download a Word for the web document, open it and choose File > Create a Copy > Download a copy. Word saves the copy in your computer’s Downloads folder. You can then open that .docx file in the desktop Word app or another compatible editor. The downloaded copy is separate from the online original.
Download a document from Word for the web
- Open the document in Word for the web.
- Select File > Create a Copy.
- Select Download a copy.
- Open your browser’s Downloads list or your computer’s Downloads folder to find the file.
These are the steps in Microsoft’s current Word for the web instructions. If your browser asks where to save the file, choose a folder you can find again. Otherwise, check Downloads first.
Download directly from OneDrive
If the document is in OneDrive, you do not need to open it in Word first. Find the file in OneDrive, choose More actions (…), then Download. Microsoft says the copy goes to your Downloads folder. If you already sync OneDrive to your computer, the file may already be available in your OneDrive folder; downloading another copy may be unnecessary.
Save a cloud document to your computer from desktop Word
If the document is already open in the desktop Word app but stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, save a local copy instead of downloading it through a browser.
- Select File > Save a Copy. In some versions or when AutoSave is off, the command is File > Save As.
- In Word for Windows, choose Browse to open the full save window. In Word for Mac, choose On My Mac if the save box shows only online locations.
- Pick a folder on your computer, such as Documents or Desktop, and edit the file name if you want.
- Leave the file type as Word Document (*.docx) and select Save.
Word now has two files: the cloud original and the local copy. Check the file name in the title bar before you keep editing, so you work in the one you intended.
Choose the file you actually need
For an editable Word file, choose Download a copy and confirm the downloaded filename ends in .docx. For a fixed-layout file to send or print, use File > Export and a PDF download option instead. A PDF may look the same on screen, but it is not the same working copy as the Word document. If you need both, download them separately and give them distinct names.
Open the downloaded file once before relying on it. Check its title, the last paragraph or page, and any important tables or images. This catches a wrong file, an older copy, or a conversion problem. The browser may have saved it to a custom download folder, so use the browser Downloads list to reveal the exact file if it is not in the usual Downloads folder.
Will later edits sync back?
A copy downloaded through Word for the web or OneDrive is separate from the online original. Edits to that copy in your Downloads folder do not automatically update the cloud document. If other people continue editing the original, download a fresh copy when you need their newest changes. By contrast, a file already inside a synced OneDrive folder can sync edits when the OneDrive app is running and connected. Check the folder location before deciding which copy to edit. Microsoft explains the distinction between downloading and OneDrive sync.
Download a Word file from Google Drive
If a .docx or .doc file is stored in Google Drive, select it at drive.google.com, right-click, and choose Download. If the item is a Google Docs document and you need a Word file, open it and choose File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx). These are different paths because a Google Docs file needs to be exported to Word format. If Download is unavailable, the owner may have restricted it. See Google Drive Help for the current steps.
Download an email attachment or website file
For an email attachment, use the email service’s download control beside the attached .docx or .doc file. For a document linked on a website, use that site’s file download link. Those controls vary by email service and website; the Word for the web File menu does not apply to them. Only open attachments and downloads you trust.
If you cannot find the downloaded file
- Check the browser’s Downloads list and your computer’s Downloads folder.
- Search for the document’s name or a recent .docx file.
- If the browser showed the document instead of downloading it, return to the source and use its Download command.
- If a download option is unavailable, check whether the document owner or organization restricts downloading.
Frequently asked questions
Does downloading change the online document?
No. A downloaded copy is a separate file. Editing it on your computer does not automatically update the original online document unless your setup syncs those files.
How do I download a PDF instead?
In Word for the web, choose File > Export and the appropriate PDF download option. See Microsoft’s PDF export instructions.
What if I was trying to recover a missing document?
Downloading a copy works only when you can still access the file online. For a missing or unsaved file, see our guide to recovering an unsaved Word document.
How do I save a Word document to a USB drive?
Plug in the drive, open the document in desktop Word, and choose File > Save a Copy or File > Save As. Select the USB drive as the location and choose Save. If you downloaded the file from Word for the web, you can also copy it from your Downloads folder to the drive in File Explorer or Finder.
Can I download a Word document without the Word app?
Yes. Word for the web and OneDrive both download the .docx file through your browser, so you do not need desktop Word installed to get the file. You will need an app that can open .docx files to edit it offline.
Matt has been writing about Microsoft Windows and other Microsoft products since the days of Windows XP. He spends much of his time writing for sites like WindowBrain.com