View and edit text documents on a smartphone or tablet with the free Microsoft Word app.
word processing program
Microsoft Word is the best known word processing program in the computer world. There is also a version of the program for smartphones and tablets. You can also easily view and edit documents on a mobile device.
Accounts
Without a Microsoft account, the Word app can only be used to open and view text files. Do you want more? Then an account is required. That can be a free Microsoft account. Such an account already offers many more options, such as creating and editing a file. For the average home worker, the free options are more than adequate. Don’t have a Microsoft account yet? Read in the article ‘Create a Microsoft account’ how to create such a free account. To use all the features of the Word app, you need a subscription account. In this article we assume a free Microsoft account without a subscription.
Download App
First time opening
Go through a number of steps after opening the app for the first time.
- Tap the app Become.
- Tap on Next one.
- Tap on Refuse not to share diagnostic data.
- Tap on OK.
- Tap on Switch to receive notifications when you collaborate in Word, among other things.
- Tap on Allow.
- Tap on Not now to continue using the free version.
login
As we mentioned before, it is advisable to log in with a Microsoft account. This makes various functions available.
- Tap the doll icon at the top left
. - Tap on To register.
- Tap on Email address, phone number or Skype name.
- Enter your email address and tap Next one.
- Tap on password and type the corresponding password.
- Tap on To register.
- Tap on Next one.
- Tap on Refuse not to share diagnostic data.
- Tap on OK.
Create new document
A new document is a blank white sheet on which you can type and format text.
- Tap the circle with the plus sign at the bottom
. - Tap on Empty document.
- A new document opens. You can start typing.
Formatting text
It is possible to format the text in the document. For example, by choosing a different font, changing the text color or inserting bullets.
- Select a piece of text.
- Tap the text twice in quick succession.
- If necessary, move the blue pointers.
- Tap the letter A icon with pencil at the top
. - Tap the desired formatting function.
- Depending on the function, you need to choose another option, such as color.
- Tap the blue down arrow
to close the formatting options window.
The formatting option applies to the selected piece of text.
Save file
Save a new file as follows:
- Tap the three dots icon at the top right
. - Tap on Save.
- Type a name.
- Under ‘Place’, choose a location to save the file. At some locations another screen will open to select the correct folder.
- At the top right, tap Save.
Open and edit file
You can also open and edit a document in Word.
- Tap a folder icon at the bottom
. - Tap the location where the file is saved.
- Tap the file.
- The file opens. Edit the document if necessary.
- Tap the gray block with the white arrow to close the document.