OneDrive File Issues

How to Separate Microsoft 365 Documents on Two iPads

WPS Editor Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent Microsoft Word from combining documents and folders from multiple Microsoft 365 accounts across different iPads.

How to Separate Microsoft 365 Documents on Two iPads

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Using Microsoft Word on two different iPads that have had multiple Microsoft 365 accounts logged in previously.
Observed behavior: Word on iPad displays folders and recent documents from multiple Microsoft 365 accounts simultaneously, causing files to be mixed up instead of being separated by the intended device or user.

Before you start

Before signing out or making changes to your Microsoft accounts, verify that any unsaved documents currently open on your iPads are saved locally or synchronized to the cloud to prevent data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Sign Out and Assign Specific Accounts to Each iPad

The most effective way to separate documents is to ensure only one specific Microsoft account is active on each individual iPad.

Microsoft Word automatically aggregates recent files from all connected accounts. To keep your work separate, you must explicitly limit each device to a single Microsoft 365 identity.

Open Word Settings

Launch the Microsoft Word app on your iPad and tap on your profile picture or the Settings gear icon located in the navigation menu.

Remove Excess Accounts

Navigate to the 'Accounts' section and sign out of all Microsoft accounts currently listed on the device.

Sign In with the Intended Account

Sign back in using only the single Microsoft 365 account that is designated for that specific iPad.

Verify OneDrive Connection

Tap the 'Open' or 'Files' tab in Word to confirm that only the correct OneDrive folders for the signed-in account are visible.

Sign Out and Assign Specific Accounts to Each iPad

Solution 2

Clear App Cache or Reinstall Word

If documents from a removed account still appear in your Recent list, clearing the app's cached data or reinstalling Word will refresh the file list.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Better Cloud File Management

If managing multiple Microsoft 365 accounts is getting complicated, WPS Office offers a lightweight, free alternative that easily integrates with multiple cloud drives without mixing up your recent file lists across devices.

1. Download WPS Office: Search for WPS Office in the iPad App Store and install the free application.
2. Connect Cloud Storage: Open WPS Office, navigate to the 'Cloud' tab, and securely add your specific OneDrive account for that device.
3. Edit and Save Seamlessly: Open your DOCX files directly from the cloud, edit them with full formatting support, and save them back to your preferred folder with zero account overlap.

Seamlessly manage different cloud storage accounts (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox) in one centralized place.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files.Free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft 365 for your iPad.Clear and distinct recent document lists to prevent file confusion across multiple users.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are documents from another account showing up in my Recent list on iPad?

This happens when multiple Microsoft 365 accounts were signed into the Word app simultaneously, or if the app's cache has retained the recent document history from an older session even after the account was removed.

Will signing out of my Microsoft account delete my documents?

No, signing out only removes the account access and recent file list from that specific iPad. Your documents remain safely stored in your Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage.

Can I manage two different OneDrive accounts on the same iPad without mixing files?

Yes, but to avoid mixing recent files within Word, it is highly recommended to use the dedicated Microsoft OneDrive app to switch between accounts, or use a third-party alternative like WPS Office to access specific cloud folders independently.

Document & File Issues