File Cannot Open

How to Recover a Missing Word Document on Mac

Elise Williams Oct 12, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user needs to recover a recently opened Microsoft Word document that the system claims cannot be found.

How to Recover a Word Document That Cannot Be Found on Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Attempting to open a recently saved or edited document from the Word Home screen or OneDrive.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word reports that the recently opened document cannot be found, preventing access to the file even if it was saved to OneDrive.

Before you start

Verify that your Mac is connected to the internet and ensure you are signed into the correct Microsoft account if your files sync with OneDrive.

Solution 1Recommended

Check the Mac AutoRecovery Folder

Use this method to manually locate automatic backups saved by Word in the hidden system folders.

Microsoft Word for Mac automatically saves temporary backups of your working files. If the main file is missing, you might be able to restore your progress from the AutoRecovery folder.

Open Finder Go Menu

Click on the Finder icon in your Dock, then click on 'Go' in the top menu bar and select 'Go to Folder'.

Navigate to the AutoRecovery Path

Type or paste the following path: ~/Library/Containers/Microsoft Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery and press Return.

Locate and Recover the File

Look for files beginning with 'AutoRecovery save of'. Once you find your missing document, drag it to your Desktop and open it with Word.

Pro Tip: To prevent future data loss, ensure that the AutoSave toggle is turned on in the top left corner of your Word application.

Solution 2

Search Spotlight and OneDrive Online

Use this approach if the file was accidentally moved locally or if it is suffering from a OneDrive sync glitch.

Solution 3

Use Word's Open and Repair Feature

Helpful if the file actually exists but the reference is corrupted or unreadable.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Seamless Document Experience on Mac

If you are tired of dealing with missing file errors and syncing glitches in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly environment with robust built-in backup features so you never lose a document again.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version for free.
2. Install and Launch: Follow the installation prompt, open WPS Office, and seamlessly open any of your existing .docx files.
3. Enable Smart Backup: Take advantage of WPS Office's built-in intelligent backup center to automatically secure your progress as you type.

Completely free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft OfficePerfectly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsReliable built-in Auto Backup and local recovery managementFamiliar user interface makes transitioning effortless

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Word temporary files stored on a Mac?

Word temporary files and automatic backups are typically stored in the hidden AutoRecovery folder located at ~/Library/Containers/Microsoft Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery.

Why does Word say my file cannot be found?

This usually happens if the document was moved to another folder, deleted, renamed outside of Word, or if there is a temporary syncing glitch between your Mac and OneDrive.

How do I recover text from a corrupted Word document on Mac?

You can launch Word, go to File > Open, select the corrupted document, and choose the 'Recover Text' option from the drop-down menu near the Open button to extract the readable data.

Document & File Issues