File Cannot Open

Fix 'Word for Mac Says Document Contains Unreadable Content' Error

Muhammad Talha Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to open a Word document on a Mac because an error message states the document contains unreadable content.

How to Fix 'Document Contains Unreadable Content' Error in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Attempting to open a specific Word document on a Mac device.
Observed behavior: The file fails to open and displays an error prompt about unreadable content, which typically stems from file corruption, storage issues, or compatibility problems.

Before you start

Verify whether the issue affects only one specific document or all your Word files. If the problematic file is stored on an external USB drive or a cloud sync folder, try copying it directly to your Mac's local desktop before attempting repairs.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Built-in Recover Text or Repair Features

Word for Mac includes built-in recovery options that can salvage text from corrupted documents or attempt to repair the file structure.

This built-in tool is the safest first step for dealing with document corruption. Depending on your version of Word for Mac, the recovery features may appear as 'Recover Text from Any File' or a direct 'Repair' option.

Launch Word for Mac

Open the Microsoft Word application on your Mac without opening the problematic document.

Access the Open Dialog

Click on 'File' in the top Apple menu bar and select 'Open' from the drop-down menu.

Select the Recovery Option

Locate and click on your corrupted document. Before clicking 'Open', look for the 'Enable' or 'Show Options' dropdown menu at the bottom of the window. Change it from 'All Readable Documents' to 'Recover Text from Any File'.

Open and Save

Click the 'Open' button. If successful, Word will extract the raw text. Immediately go to 'File' > 'Save As' to save this recovered text as a new document.

Use the Built-in Recover Text or Repair Features

Formatting Loss: Using the 'Recover Text from Any File' option will successfully salvage your raw text, but document formatting, images, charts, and embedded objects will be lost.

Solution 2

Open the Document in Word for the Web

Uploading the document to OneDrive and opening it in the web version of Word can sometimes bypass local application glitches or minor corruption.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Recover and Open Word Documents with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to fail, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Its distinct and robust document processing engine can often open mildly corrupted files that Microsoft Word rejects, allowing you to salvage your important work without hassle.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac from the official website and complete the installation.
2. Launch WPS Writer: Open the WPS Office suite and select 'Writer', which is the word processing module.
3. Open the Corrupted File: Click on 'Menu', select 'Open', and choose the problematic Word document to see if WPS Writer can successfully load the content.

Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, including .docx, .doc, and .rtfFree and lightweight alternative to heavy Word installationsRobust file processing that may successfully bypass Word corruption errorsFamiliar user interface ensures seamless migration with zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word for Mac say my document contains unreadable content?

This error is typically caused by file corruption. Common reasons include unexpected power loss while saving, incomplete downloads, improper ejection of USB drives, or synchronization issues with cloud storage services.

Can I recover images if I use the 'Recover Text' option?

No. The 'Recover Text from Any File' feature specifically extracts plain text and strips away the document's structure. All formatting, images, tables, and macros will unfortunately be lost.

Does Time Machine help with unreadable Word documents?

Yes, if you have Time Machine enabled on your Mac, you can navigate to the folder where the document is stored, open Time Machine, and restore a previous, uncorrupted version of the file from before the error occurred.

Document & File Issues