OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix Word and Excel Upload Pending Errors on iPad

Huma Ashraf Ch Sep 25, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user is experiencing persistent upload errors and sign-in prompts when trying to save or sync Word and Excel files to OneDrive on an iPad, despite being actively signed in.

How to Fix Word and Excel Upload Pending Errors on iPad

Product: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, OneDrive
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Saving and syncing documents and spreadsheets to OneDrive using iPad apps.
Observed behavior: The apps repeatedly display 'Cannot upload', 'Please sign in to your account', and 'Upload pending' messages. Reinstalling the applications and updating iPadOS did not resolve the issue.

Before you start

Ensure your iPad is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and verify that you remember your Microsoft account email and password, as you will need them to sign back in after resetting the applications.

Solution 1Recommended

Reset Word, Excel, and OneDrive via iPad Settings

Clearing the app data and resetting the sign-in credentials directly from the iPad settings often resolves persistent upload and sync errors caused by cached data.

Uninstalling the apps does not always remove the corrupted sign-in cache on iPadOS. To completely refresh your connection to OneDrive, you must use the specific Reset function built into the iOS Settings app for Microsoft Office applications.

Open iPad Settings

Go to the Home screen of your iPad and tap the 'Settings' app.

Locate Word or Excel

Scroll down the left panel in Settings until you find 'Word' or 'Excel' and tap on it.

Access Reset Options

Under the app settings on the right, tap on 'Reset [App Name]' (e.g., Reset Word) to view the troubleshooting options.

Clear Account Credentials

Toggle on the options to 'Clear All Documents' and 'Delete Sign-In Credentials'.

Reset OneDrive Settings

Repeat the same process for the 'OneDrive' app in Settings to ensure all account data is completely cleared across the Office suite.

Restart and Sign In

Restart your iPad, launch Word or Excel, and sign in to your Microsoft account again to test the upload.

Reset Word, Excel, and OneDrive via iPad Settings

Backup Local Files: Toggling 'Clear All Documents' will remove local files that are not synced to the cloud. Be sure to copy any unsaved text to another app like Apple Notes before proceeding.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Sync Documents Seamlessly on iPad with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word and Excel continue to fail with upload errors, try WPS Office. It is a lightweight, all-in-one free office suite that supports seamless cloud integration on iPadOS without persistent sync errors.

1. Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office for free from the Apple App Store on your iPad.
2. Link Your Cloud Drive: Open WPS Office, navigate to the Cloud tab, and sign in to your OneDrive or preferred cloud storage to access your files.
3. Edit and Sync Effortlessly: Open your documents and edit smoothly with real-time syncing and automatic saving enabled.

100% compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) formatsStable and reliable cloud sync with OneDrive, Google Drive, and DropboxAll-in-one app for viewing and editing documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs on iPadLightweight and free to use without complex subscription sign-ins

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPad say upload pending in Word?

This usually happens when the app's cached sign-in credentials become corrupted or out of sync with Microsoft's servers, preventing the app from authenticating your OneDrive connection.

Does uninstalling the app delete my pending uploads?

Yes, uninstalling Word or Excel from your iPad will remove local application data, which may result in the loss of local changes that haven't been successfully synced to the cloud. It's recommended to copy your text or save a local copy before deleting the app.

Can I save files locally on my iPad instead of OneDrive?

Yes. When saving a document, tap the save icon, choose 'On My iPad' as the storage location instead of OneDrive. This bypasses the cloud upload completely and saves the file directly to your device's local storage.

Will resetting Word on my iPad delete my documents?

Resetting the app via settings and choosing 'Clear All Documents' will remove local offline files. However, files that have already been safely synced and stored in your OneDrive account will not be affected and will reappear once you sign back in.

Document & File Issues