To edit a Word document, open it with editing permission, place the cursor where you want to make a change, revise the text, and save. The Review tab is useful for feedback, but Track Changes and comments are optional; ordinary edits do not require them.
Edit a document in Word
- Open the file. In desktop Word, choose File > Open and select your document. In Word for the web, open an editable file from OneDrive or a shared link.
- Check the mode near the upper-right of the Word window. If it says Viewing or Reviewing, switch to Editing if you have permission. In Protected View, select Enable Editing only when you trust the file.
- Click where you want to edit. Type to add text, select text to replace it, or use Backspace/Delete to remove it. Use the Home tab for basic formatting.
- For spelling and grammar suggestions, use Editor if available. Read each suggestion before applying it; automated suggestions can change the intended meaning.
- Save with Ctrl+S on Windows or Command+S on Mac. If you need to preserve the original, choose File > Save As or Save a Copy before making extensive revisions.
Add pictures, tables, and links
Editing is not limited to text. Click where the new item should go, open the Insert tab, and choose what you need:
- Pictures to add an image from your computer or the web.
- Table to drag out a grid of rows and columns.
- Link to turn selected text into a clickable web address.
Select an inserted picture or table to show its own ribbon tab with sizing, layout, and style options.
Undo a mistake or go back to an earlier version
Press Ctrl+Z (Command+Z on a Mac) to undo the last change, and press it again to step further back. Ctrl+Y (Command+Y) redoes it.
If the file is saved in OneDrive or SharePoint, you can also restore an older copy after the document has been saved and closed.
- Choose File > Info > Version History.
- Open the version you want from the list.
- Click Restore to make it the current version, or copy the parts you need.
Edit a Word document online for free
You do not need desktop Word to make changes. Sign in to onedrive.com with a free Microsoft account, then upload the .docx file with the Add new or Upload button. Click the uploaded file to open it in Word for the web, then click where you want to type. Word for the web saves your changes automatically, and the Download a Copy option on the File menu puts the edited file back on your computer.
When you cannot type
If Editing is missing, the owner may have given you view or review access only. Ask for edit permission. A protected or restricted document can also block changes; only its owner or someone with the proper permissions can remove those restrictions. Do not assume every read-only file can be unlocked locally.
Review changes with others
Turn on Review > Track Changes before editing when you want Word to record revisions. Use comments for questions or feedback. Reviewers can accept or reject tracked changes later. Switching Track Changes off stops tracking new edits but does not remove existing revisions. See our Track Changes guide for the full workflow.
Check before sharing
Read the document from start to finish, inspect formatting, and save. If the file contains tracked changes or comments, review those separately before sharing a final copy; hiding markup is not the same as removing revisions.
Sources: Microsoft Support: Enable editing in your document; Microsoft Support: Document modes in Word; Microsoft Support: Track changes in Word.
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