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Fix On My Mac Option Missing in Word for Mac
Question details
The user is unable to find the "On My Mac" option on the Word for Mac start screen to open locally stored files.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Ventura
- Scenario
- Trying to open local documents directly from the Word start window after a recent software update.
- Observed behavior
- The "On My Mac" button is completely missing from the start screen, preventing users from browsing local directories within the initial Word interface.
Ensure you know where your local files are saved on your Mac, as your documents are completely safe and this is only a user interface bug in Microsoft Word.
Use the macOS Menu Bar to Open Files
Bypass the Word start screen entirely by using the standard Apple menu bar to locate and open your local documents.
Since the start screen is bugged, the most reliable way to open documents from within the application is through the native macOS menu bar. This triggers the standard system file browser.
Launch Word for Mac and wait for the start screen to appear.
Move your cursor to the top-left corner of your Mac's screen and click on 'File' in the Apple menu bar.
Click 'Open' from the drop-down menu (or press Cmd + O). A dialog box will appear allowing you to browse and select files stored locally on your Mac.
Open Documents Directly from Finder
Use the macOS Finder to locate your files and open them directly, ignoring the Word start screen.
Submit Feedback to Microsoft
Report the missing button to Microsoft developers so they can patch the known issue in a future update.
Try WPS Office for a Bug-Free Mac Experience
If unexpected UI bugs in Microsoft Word are slowing down your workflow, WPS Office offers a highly stable, lightweight, and free alternative. It provides intuitive local file management on Mac without sudden interface changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the 'On My Mac' button disappear from Word?
This is a known bug associated with a recent Microsoft Word for Mac update running on macOS Ventura. It causes the start screen to fail to render the local storage option.
Are my local documents lost if the button is missing?
No, your documents are perfectly safe. They are still stored on your Mac's hard drive and can easily be accessed using the Mac Finder or by pressing Cmd + O inside Word.
Will reinstalling Word for Mac fix the missing option?
Reinstalling the app typically does not fix this specific UI issue, as it is tied to the current version's code. You will need to use workarounds like Cmd + O until Microsoft releases a patch.
