'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix DOCX Files Not Opening on iPhone and iPad
Question details
Users are unable to open DOCX files received via email or messaging apps on their iPhone or iPad.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- iPhone and iPad (iOS)
- Scenario
- The user is attempting to view a DOCX document received through an email client, WhatsApp, or other third-party messaging services.
- Observed behavior
- The file fails to load, displaying a blank white screen with only the file title and the word "data". Furthermore, the Microsoft Word app icon disappears from the iOS share sheet options.
Ensure your iPhone or iPad is updated to the latest iOS version and check that the Microsoft Word app is fully updated in the App Store.
Uninstall Interfering Third-Party Apps
Remove apps that hijack iOS file associations, which is the most common cause of the blank screen data error.
Certain third-party applications, notably video conferencing tools like the 'Whereby' app, have known bugs that interfere with how iOS handles DOCX files. This prevents Microsoft Word from rendering the document and removes it from the share options.
Go to your iPhone or iPad home screen or App Library and locate the 'Whereby' app (or any recently installed app you suspect is causing the conflict).
Long-press the app icon until a menu appears, select 'Remove App', and then tap 'Delete App' to confirm the uninstallation.
Restart your iPhone or iPad. Once rebooted, open your email or WhatsApp and try tapping the DOCX file again to see if it opens properly.
Reset the Microsoft Word App
Clear corrupted app data and cache that might be preventing documents from loading.
Open the File Directly from Word
Bypass the buggy iOS share sheet by opening the document from within the application itself.
Open DOCX Files Seamlessly with WPS Office
If Microsoft Word continues to show a blank screen or fails to appear in your iOS share options, WPS Office is the perfect free alternative. It effortlessly handles all document formats directly from your email or messaging apps without glitching.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free from the Apple App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
- 2. Select the DOCX File: Tap the problematic DOCX file in your email, WhatsApp, or messages.
- 3. Open with WPS: Tap the share icon and select 'WPS Office' from the list to instantly view and edit your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my DOCX file just show a white screen and the word "data"?
This is a known iOS file handling glitch often caused by app conflicts. Specific third-party apps, like 'Whereby', can hijack the file association for DOCX files on your device, preventing Microsoft Word from rendering the document correctly.
How do I fix Microsoft Word missing from the iOS share sheet?
First, ensure the Word app is updated to the latest version. If it still doesn't appear, try uninstalling recently added third-party apps that might be conflicting, restarting your device, or scrolling to the far right of the share sheet and tapping 'More' (...) to manually add Word to your favorites.
Can I open DOCX files on my iPhone without Microsoft Word?
Yes. You can use the built-in iOS Files app to preview the document, or you can download a robust, free alternative like WPS Office from the App Store to view, edit, and save DOCX files with full formatting support.
