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Word for Office 365 Word for Office 365 for Mac Word 2019 Word 2019 for Mac Word 2016 Word 2013 Word 2010 Word 2007 Word 2016 for Mac More. Less If your document is in Print Layout view and the top and bottom margins appear to be cut off, the option for hiding margins has been switched on.

Note

Office 365 ProPlus is being renamed to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise. For more information about this change, read this blog post.

Note

If you experience specific issues when you use Word, visit the Word help center to search for information about your issue.

Summary

This article describes how to troubleshoot problems that may occur when you start or use Microsoft Word. Use the following methods in the order in which they are presented. If you try one of these methods and it does not help, go to the next method.

Resolution

Verify or install the latest updates

You might have to set Windows Update to automatically download and install recommended updates. Installing any important, recommended, and optional updates can frequently correct problems by replacing out-of-date files and fixing vulnerabilities. To install the latest Microsoft Office updates, see Update Office and your computer with Microsoft Update.

For list of the latest Office updates, see Office Updates. If your issue is not resolved after you install the latest Windows and Office updates, go to method 2.

It's a good idea to make sure that your computer has the latest updates installed for Windows. Updates often fix software problems. Before you use any of the following methods, try first to install updates. After you install the updates, restart your computer, and then start Word.

Troubleshoot problems that occur when you start Word

Important

Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Before you modify it, back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur.

Method 1: Insert your document into another file

The final paragraph mark in a Word document contains information about the document. If the document is damaged, you may be able to retrieve the text of the document if you can omit this final paragraph mark.

To access a document but leave its final paragraph mark behind, follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, click New and then click Blank Document.
2. On the Insert tab, click Object in the Text group, and then click Text from File.
3. Select the file that you want to open and insert, and then click Insert.

Method 2: Start Word by using the /a switch

The /a switch is a troubleshooting tool that is used to determine where a problem may exist in Word. The /a switch prevents add-ins and global templates from being loaded automatically. The /a switch also locks the settings files to prevent it from being read or modified. To start Word by using the /a switch, follow these steps:

1. Type Run in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.
2. In the **Run **dialog box, type winword /a, and then press Enter.

For more information about the /a switch, go to the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

826857 Description of the '/a' startup switch in Word

If the problem does not occur when you start Word by using the /a switch, try the next method to determine the source of the problem.

Method 3: Delete the Word Data registry subkey

Most of the frequently used options in Word are stored in the Word Data registry subkey. A common troubleshooting step is to delete the Word Data registry subkey. When you restart Word, the program rebuilds the Word Data registry key by using the default settings.

Note When you delete the Word Data registry subkey, Word resets several options to their default settings. For example, Word resets the 'most recently used file' list on the File menu. Also, Word resets many settings that you customize in the Options dialog box.

Important

Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Before you modify it, back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur.

To delete the Word Data registry subkey, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.

3. Locate the following registry subkey, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are using:

   Word 2016HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice16.0WordData

   Word 2013HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice15.0WordData

   Word 2010HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice14.0WordData

   Word 2007HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice12.0WordData

   Word 2003HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice11.0WordData

4. Click Data, and then click Export on the File menu.

5. Name the file Wddata.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.

6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.

7. Exit Registry Editor.

8. Start Word.

If Word starts and works correctly, you have resolved the problem (a damaged Word Data registry key). You may now have to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Word.

If the problem is not resolved, restore the original Word Data registry subkey, and then try the next method.

Restore the original Word Data registry key

To restore the original Word Data registry subkey, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.
2. Double-click the Wddata.reg icon on the desktop.
3. Click Yes, and then click OK.
   If restoring the Word Data registry subkey doesn't work, go to the next procedure.

Method 4: Delete the Word Options registry key

The Word Options registry key stores options that you can set in Word. These settings are divided into default and optional groups. Default settings are created during the program setup. Optional settings are not created during setup. You can change both the default and optional settings in Word.

To delete the Word Options registry key, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.

3. Locate the following registry subkey, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running:

   Word 2016HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice16.0WordOptions

   Word 2013HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice15.0WordOptions

   Word 2010HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice14.0WordOptions

   Word 2007HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice12.0WordOptions

   Word 2003HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice11.0WordOptions

4. Click Options, and then click Export on the File menu.

5. Name the file Wddata.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.

6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.

7. Exit Registry Editor.

8. Start Word.

If Word starts and works correctly, you have resolved the problem (a damaged Word Options registry key). You may now have to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Word.

If the problem is not resolved, restore the original Word Options registry key, and then try the next method.

To restore the original Word Options registry key

To restore the original Word Options registry key, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.
2. Double-click the Wdoptn.reg icon on the desktop.
3. Click Yes, and then click OK.

Method 5: Replace the Normal.dot or Normal.dotm global template file

You can prevent formatting, AutoText, and macros that are stored in the global template file from affecting the behavior of Word and any documents that you open. To do this, replace the global template file.

Important

This method includes renaming the global template file so that Word does not find it as expected when it restarts. This forces Word to re-create the global template file. By doing this, you save the original file in case you have to restore it. Be aware that when you rename the global template file, several settings are reset to their defaults, including custom styles, custom toolbars, macros, and AutoText entries. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you save the global template file and do not delete it.

Additional note In certain situations, you may have more than one global template file. For example, this occurs if multiple versions of Word are running on the same computer, or if several workstation installations exist on the same computer. In these situations, make sure that you rename each global template file so that it clearly reflects the appropriate Word installation.

To rename the global template file, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Type cmd in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.

3. At the command prompt, type the following command, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running, and then press Enter:

   Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010, or Word 2007

   Word 2003

4. At the command prompt, type exit, and then press Enter.

5. Start Word.

If Word starts correctly, you have resolved the problem. In this case, the problem is a damaged global template file. Now, you may have to change several settings to restore your favorite options.

Note

The old global template file may contain customizations that can't be easily re-created. These customizations may include styles, macros, and AutoText entries. In this case, you may be able to copy the customizations from the old global template file to the new global template file by using the Organizer. For more information about how to use the Organizer to copy macros and styles, press F1 in Word to open Microsoft Word Help, type rename macros in the Search box, and then click Search to view the topic.

If the problem is not resolved, restore the original global template file, and then go to the next section.

Restore the original global template file

To restore the original global template file, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Type cmd in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.

3. At the command prompt, type the following command, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running, and then press Enter:

   Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010 and Word 2007

   Word 2003

4. Type exit, and then press Enter.

5. Start Word.

Method 6: Disable the Startup folder add-ins

When you start Word, Word automatically loads templates and add-ins that are located in the Startup folders. Conflicts or problems that affect an add-in can cause problems in Word. To determine whether an item in a Startup folder is causing the problem, temporarily disable the registry setting that points to these add-ins.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Start Windows Explorer. Type windows ex in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.

3. Type the following command in the address bar, as appropriate for the version of Word that you're running and its installation type, and then press Enter: Word 2016

   64-bit C2R installation:%programfiles%Microsoft Officerootoffice16Startup

   32-bit C2R installation:%programfiles% (x86)Microsoft Officerootoffice16Startup

   64-bit MSI installation:%programfiles%Microsoft Officeoffice16Startup

   32-bit MSI installation:%programfiles% (x86)Microsoft Officeoffice16Startup

   Word 2013

   64-bit C2R installation:%programfiles%Microsoft Officerootoffice15Startup

   32-bit C2R installation:%programfiles% (x86)Microsoft Officerootoffice15Startup

   64-bit MSI installation:%programfiles%Microsoft Officeoffice15Startup

   32-bit MSI installation:%programfiles% (x86)Microsoft Officeoffice15Startup

   Word 2010

   %programfiles%Microsoft OfficeOffice14Startup

   Word 2007

   %programfiles%Microsoft OfficeOffice12Startup

   Word 2003

   %programfiles%MicrosoftOfficeOffice11Startup

4. Right-click one of the files that is contained in the folder, and then click Rename.

5. After the file name, type .old, and then press Enter.

   Important

   Make a note of the original file name so that you can restore the file, if it is necessary.

6. Start Word.

7. If you can no longer reproduce the problem, you have found the specific add-in that causes the problem. If you must have the features that the add-in provides, contact the vendor of the add-in for an update.

   If the problem is not resolved, rename the add-in by using its original name, and then repeat steps 3 through 6 for each file in the Startup folder.

8. If you can still reproduce the problem, type the following path in the address bar of Windows Explorer, and then click OK. For Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista

   %userprofile%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWordStartup

   For Windows XP

   %userprofile%Application DataMicrosoftWordStartup

9. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for each file in this Startup folder.

If the problem is not resolved after you disable the Startup folder add-ins, go to the next method.

Method 7: Delete the COM add-ins registry keys

You can install COM add-ins in any location. Programs that interact with Word install COM add-ins. To determine whether a COM add-in is causing the problem, temporarily disable the COM add-ins by deleting the registry keys for the COM add-ins.

To delete the COM add-ins registry keys, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.
2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.
3. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOfficeWordAddins
4. Click Addins, and then click Export on the File menu.
5. Name the file WdaddinHKCU.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.
6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
7. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftOfficeWordAddins
8. Click Addins, and then on the File menu, click Export.
9. Name the file WdaddinHKLM.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.
10. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
11. Exit Registry Editor.
12. Start Word.
    If the problem is resolved, you have determined that a COM add-in program is causing the problem. Next, you must determine which COM add-in program is causing the problem.

Determine which COM add-in program is causing the problem

To determine which COM add-in program is causing the problem, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Double-click the Wdaddin.reg icon on your desktop.

3. Click Yes, and then click OK.

4. Use one of the following procedures, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running:

   Word 2016, Word 2013, or Word 2010

   1. On the File menu, click Options.
   2. Click Add-Ins.
   3. In the Manage list, click COM Add-Ins, and then click Go.

   Note If an add-in is listed in the COM Add-Ins dialog box, clear the add-in check box. If more than one add-in is listed, clear only one add-in check box at a time. This procedure helps determine which add-in is causing the problem.
   4. Click OK to close the COM Add-Ins dialog box.
   5. On the File menu, click Exit.

   Word 2007

   1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Word options.

   2. Click Add-ins.

   3. In the Manage list, click COM Add-ins, and then click Go.

      If an add-in is listed in the COM Add-Ins dialog box, click to clear the add-in check box. If more than one add-in is listed, click to clear only one add-in check box at a time. This procedure helps determine which add-in is causing the problem.

   4. Click OK to close the COM Add-Ins dialog box.

   5. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Exit Word.

   6. On the File menu, click Exit.

5. Start Word.
   If the problem is resolved when you start Word, you have determined which COM add-in is causing the problem. If you must have the features that the add-in provides, you must determine which add-in includes those features so that you can contact the vendor for an update.

If the problem is not resolved when you start Word, repeat steps 4 and 5 for each COM add-in that's listed until you determine which add-in is causing the problem.

To restore the COM add-ins, repeat step 4, but select the check box for each COM add-in that you want to restore.

Method 8: Change the default printer

To change the default printer, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.
2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.
3. Right-click Microsoft XPS Document Writer, and then click Set as default printer.
4. Start Word.
   If the problem is resolved after you start Word, you have determined that the printer is causing the problem. If this is the case, contact the vendor to see whether there is an update for the printer driver.

Microsoft Support options

If you can't resolve this problem, you can use Microsoft Support to search the Microsoft Knowledge Base and other technical resources for answers. You can also customize the site to control your search. To start your search, go to the Microsoft Support website.

Additional resources

If you experience specific issues when you use Word, go to the following websites to search for specific information about your program version:

-->

Note

Office 365 ProPlus is being renamed to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise. For more information about this change, read this blog post.

For a Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition version of this article, see 211955.

Summary

This article answers the most frequently asked questions about creating and using hyperlinks in Microsoft Word 2002 and in later versions of Word.

More Information

When I type a file address with spaces in it, Word replaces the address with a hyperlink after I press SPACEBAR. How can I finish typing an address that includes spaces before Word converts it to a hyperlink?

To ensure that Word will recognize an address that includes spaces as a single hyperlink, enclose the address in quotation marks. If the address is not enclosed in quotation marks, Word creates the hyperlink when you press SPACEBAR.

How do I turn off automatic hyperlinks?

To turn off automatic hyperlinks, follow these steps, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running:

• In Microsoft Office Word 2010 and 2013, follow these steps:

  1. On the File menu, click Options.

  2. Click Proofing, and then click AutoCorrect Options.

  3. On the AutoFormat as you type tab and on the AutoFormat tab, click to clear the Internet and network paths with hyperlinks check box, and then click OK.

  4. Click OK to close the Word Options dialog box.

• In Microsoft Office Word 2007, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Word Options.
  2. Click Proofing, and then click AutoCorrect Options.
  3. On the AutoFormat as you type tab and on the AutoFormat tab, click to clear the Internet and network paths with hyperlinks check box, and then click OK.
  4. Click OK to close the Word Options dialog box.

• In Microsoft Office Word 2003 and in Microsoft Word 2002, follow these steps:

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.
  2. On the AutoFormat as you type tab and on the AutoFormat tab, click to clear the Internet and network paths with hyperlinks check box.
  3. Click OK.

How do I change the display text or image of a hyperlink after it has been created?

You can change the display text or image for a hyperlink in the same way that you edit any text or image in your document.

To follow a hyperlink, press and hold CTRL, and then click the hyperlink.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

279090 Cannot click to activate hyperlink

How do I remove a hyperlink without losing the display text or image?

To remove a single hyperlink without losing the display text or image, right-click the hyperlink, and then click Remove Hyperlink.

To remove all hyperlinks in a document, press CTRL+A to select the entire document and then press CTRL+SHIFT+F9.

Note

Performing this operation converts all fields, not just hyperlinks, to plain text.

How do I change the underlying Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for a hyperlink?

To change the underlying URL for a hyperlink, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the hyperlink text or image, and then click Edit Hyperlink.
2. In the Edit Hyperlink dialog box, type or select a URL from the Type the file or web page name box.
3. Click OK.

How do I create hyperlinks to locations within the same document?

To create a hyperlink to a location within the same document, use one of the following methods:

Why Is Microsoft Word Giving Me Problems On Mac Version

• Use a drag-and-drop operation. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Save the document.
  2. Select the word, phrase, or image that you want to use as the destination for the hyperlink.
  3. Right-click and hold down the mouse button while dragging the selection to the new location; then, release the mouse button.
  4. Click Create Hyperlink Here.
• Create a bookmark, and then create a link. To do this, follow these steps, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running:
  • In Word 2007 and in Word 2010 and 2013, follow these steps:
    1. Save the document.
    2. Select the text or the image that you want to use as the destination for the hyperlink.
    3. Click the Insert tab.
    4. In the Links group, click Bookmark.
    5. In the Bookmark name box, type a unique name for the bookmark, and then click Add.
    6. Move the insertion point to the location in the document where you want to create the hyperlink.
    7. Click Hyperlink in the Links group.
    8. Click Bookmark.
    9. In the Select Place in Document dialog box, select the bookmark that you want to use as the destination hyperlink, and then click OK.
    10. Click OK to close the Insert Hyperlink dialog box.
  • In Word 2003 and in Word 2002, follow these steps:
    1. Save the document.
    2. Select the text or the image that you want to use as the destination for the hyperlink.
    3. On the Insert menu, click Bookmark.
    4. In the Bookmark name box, type a unique name for the bookmark, and then click Add.
    5. Move the insertion point to the location in the document where you want to create the hyperlink.
    6. On the Insert menu, click Hyperlink.
    7. Click Bookmark.
    8. In the Select Place in Document dialog box, select the bookmark that you want to use as the destination hyperlink, and then click OK.
    9. Click OK again.

What is the difference between a relative hyperlink and an absolute hyperlink?

An absolute hyperlink uses the full address of the destination document. A relative hyperlink uses the address relative to the address of the containing document. This is also known as the hyperlink base.

For example, suppose that a document has the following address:

C:My Documents1999 report.doc

This document has absolute and relative hyperlinks to a document that has the following full address (and absolute hyperlink):

C:My DocumentsAprilSales.doc

The relative hyperlink contains only the relative address to Sales.doc. The relative address is as follows:

AprilSales.doc

Use a relative link if you want to move or to copy your files to another location, such as a Web server.

When I click a hyperlink in Word, I receive a message that indicates that no program is registered to open the file. What do I do to open the file?

You receive this message when Windows is unable to find the program that is associated with the type of document that is specified in the hyperlink path. This information is encoded in the extension of the hyperlink address.

To view the hyperlink, turn on the Tool Tips option, and then position the mouse pointer over the hyperlink.

To locate the Tool Tips option, use one of the following procedures, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running:

• In Word 2010 and 2013, click File, click Options, and then click Display.
• In Word 2007, click the Microsoft Office Button, click Word Options, and then click Display.
• In Word 2003 and in Word 2002, click Options on the Tools menu, and then click the View tab.

To correct this problem, install the program that is associated with the document type that is specified in the hyperlink.

Why Is Microsoft Word Giving Me Problems On Mac Pro

The file name extension is the group of characters that follow the last period in the address. The following table lists some of the Office document types and their file name extensions.

Why Is Microsoft Word Giving Me Problems On Mac Windows 10

Document type	File name extensions in Office 2003 and in earlier versions of Office	File name extensions in the 2007 Office programs
Microsoft Access database	.mdb	.accdb
Microsoft Excel workbook	.xls	.xlsx, .xlsm, .xlsb
Microsoft PowerPoint presentation	.pot	.potx, .potm
Microsoft Publisher publication	.pub	.pub
Microsoft Word document	.doc	.docx, .docm