'%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)
How to Recover a Word AutoRecovery File on Mac After a Crash
Question details
The user is unable to open a located Word AutoRecovery file on their Mac after an unexpected crash, encountering format mismatch and unreadable character errors.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to restore an unsaved or crashed document using the automatically generated AutoRecovery file.
- Observed behavior
- The AutoRecovery file refuses to open due to format and extension mismatches, and it displays unreadable characters when forced open in TextEdit. Manually changing the extension does not resolve the issue.
Before troubleshooting, make a duplicate copy of your corrupted AutoRecovery file and store it on your desktop to prevent accidental permanent data loss during the recovery process.
Open via Recent Files or Strip the File Extension
Use Word's built-in recent file menu to locate the last saved copy, or modify a duplicate file's extension to bypass the format mismatch error.
Often, Word's internal tracking can locate the last properly saved instance of a file better than opening the raw AutoRecovery data. If that fails, removing the extension from the raw file can sometimes force Word's recovery engine to process the document.
Open Microsoft Word for Mac. Navigate to 'File' > 'Open Recent' > 'More' from the top menu bar. Look for the last saved copy of your document in this list and attempt to open it.
If the file is not in the recent list, locate your corrupted AutoRecovery file using Finder and create a duplicate copy of it in a separate folder or on your desktop.
Right-click the copied file, select 'Rename', and completely remove its file extension (delete the .doc, .docx, or .tmp suffix). Confirm the change if prompted by macOS.
Drag and drop this extension-free copy directly into a blank, open Word for Mac window to see if the application can successfully parse and recover the text.
Restore the Document Using Mac or Cloud Backups
If the AutoRecovery file is irreparably corrupted, retrieve a previously saved version of the document from Time Machine, OneDrive, or iCloud.
Prevent Data Loss on Mac with WPS Office
Tired of dealing with crashed documents and corrupted AutoRecovery files? WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly stable platform for Mac users with robust built-in auto-backup features to ensure your work is always safe. It offers a seamless transition with full support for Microsoft Word formats.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for Mac from the official website and follow the simple installation instructions.
- 2. Open Your Existing Files: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .doc and .docx files directly without losing any formatting or data.
- 3. Enable Smart Auto-Backup: Navigate to Menu > Settings > Backup Setting to configure automatic local backups, ensuring you never lose your work to an unexpected crash again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are AutoRecovery files saved on a Mac?
By default, Word for Mac saves AutoRecovery files in a hidden Library folder. You can usually find them by opening Finder, holding the Option key, clicking 'Go' > 'Library', and navigating to Containers > Microsoft Word > Data > Library > Preferences > AutoRecovery.
Why does TextEdit show unreadable characters when opening my Word file?
TextEdit is a basic plain text and rich text editor that cannot natively decode the complex XML or binary structure of a Microsoft Word file. When it attempts to read the raw data, it displays scrambled or unreadable symbols instead of your actual text.
Does changing a file extension fix a corrupted document?
No. Manually changing a file extension only alters how the Mac operating system identifies the file. It does not change the internal encoding or repair structural damage caused during an application crash.
How often does AutoRecovery save my document?
By default, Microsoft Word attempts to save AutoRecovery information every 10 minutes. You can adjust this frequency in Word's Preferences under the 'Save' settings to ensure your work is captured more frequently.
