Office Compatibility Issues

Fix On-Screen Keyboard Not Showing in Word and Excel on iPad

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to bring up the on-screen software keyboard when editing new or existing documents in Microsoft Word and Excel on an iPad mini 7. Additionally, the apps are forcing document saves to OneDrive instead of local iPad storage.

Product: Microsoft Word and Excel for iPad
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Attempting to type in documents and spreadsheets using the on-screen keyboard, and trying to save files directly to the local device storage.
Observed behavior: The on-screen keyboard fails to appear in both Word and Excel, even after resetting and reinstalling the apps, and files default to OneDrive.

Before you start

Verify that no external Bluetooth keyboards are connected to your iPad, as iPadOS will automatically hide the on-screen software keyboard when a physical keyboard is detected.

Solution 1Recommended

Update iPadOS and Microsoft Office Apps

Software bugs in older versions of iPadOS or Microsoft Office apps can cause the keyboard to glitch and not appear on screen.

Compatibility issues between recent Apple updates and Microsoft Office apps are common causes for missing UI elements like the on-screen keyboard. Keeping both your operating system and apps up to date ensures you have the latest bug fixes.

Update iPadOS

Open the Settings app on your iPad, navigate to 'General', and select 'Software Update'. If an update is available, tap 'Download and Install'.

Update Word and Excel

Open the App Store, tap your profile picture at the top right, and scroll down to the pending updates section. Tap 'Update' next to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

Restart the iPad

Press and hold the power button and either volume button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider, wait a few seconds, and then turn the iPad back on.

Test Across Other Apps: Open a native app like Apple Notes to see if the keyboard appears. If it works there but not in Word, the issue is isolated to the Microsoft apps.

Solution 2

Review iPad Keyboard Settings

Incorrect system keyboard settings can prevent the software keyboard from appearing when no physical keyboard is connected.

Solution 3

Change Default Save Location to Local iPad Storage

Adjust the default save settings in Office to prevent files from automatically uploading to OneDrive.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Seamless iPad Typing and Editing Experience

If Microsoft Word and Excel continue to have keyboard bugs or force cloud saves on your iPad, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and fully compatible alternative. It supports local iPad storage by default and offers a smooth, reliable on-screen typing experience.

1. Download WPS Office: Search for WPS Office in the Apple App Store on your iPad and install it for free.
2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and tap 'Open' to browse files stored 'On My iPad' without forced cloud logins.
3. Edit Without Interruptions: Tap on the document text or spreadsheet cell to immediately bring up the on-screen keyboard and start typing.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) formatsSave files directly to your local iPad storage with easeFree and lightweight alternative to Microsoft 365Optimized on-screen keyboard support for iPadOS

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPad keyboard disappear when using Word?

This can happen due to app-specific glitches after an iPadOS update, or because the iPad detects an active Bluetooth connection to an external keyboard, which automatically hides the on-screen software keyboard.

How do I save Word documents directly to my iPad instead of OneDrive?

When saving a document in Word for iPad, tap 'Save a Copy', select 'On My iPad' from the storage locations list, choose your desired folder, and tap 'Save'.

Does resetting the Word app fix iPad keyboard issues?

Resetting the app clears its local cache and account data, which can resolve minor glitches. However, if the keyboard issue is caused by a system bug, you will likely need to update iPadOS or the app itself via the App Store.

Office App Problems