How to set up Word to work seamlessly between my iPad and my MacBook using OneDrive

To keep the same Word document in sync between iPad and MacBook, use one cloud location consistently and avoid document states that block co-authoring.

Recommended setup:

1. Save the document to OneDrive.
   • Word collaboration works when the file is stored online in OneDrive, Dropbox, or a SharePoint team site.
   • For the smoothest experience, save the story in OneDrive and open that same cloud file from both devices.
2. Make sure the file is a .docx file, not .doc.
   • Older .doc files need to be converted before simultaneous editing works properly.
   • On iPad, Word shows Convert and Edit for a .doc file.
   • On Mac, Word can convert a compatibility-mode document by using File > Convert Document.
3. Do not use document features that prevent web/mobile collaboration.
   • If the document is marked as final, choose Edit Anyway.
   • If the document has macros, it cannot be edited simultaneously with others.
   • Avoid editing restrictions or marking the file as final, because those features can stop co-authoring in Word for the web.
4. Confirm the Mac is saving to an online location, not only locally.
   • In Word for Mac, OneDrive is available after sign-in.
   • If SharePoint is needed, it can be added manually in Save As > Online locations > Add a place.
   • When saving, choose Online locations and save to the OneDrive location.
5. Use the same signed-in Microsoft account on both devices.
   • Office for iPad supports signing in with a Microsoft account or a work or school account.
   • Since the file is in personal OneDrive, the same Outlook.com/Microsoft account should be used in Word on both iPad and Mac.
6. Prefer opening the same shared file rather than separate local copies.
   • If a file is not already saved to OneDrive, Word prompts to upload it there before sharing.
   • After the file is in OneDrive, opening that same file from both devices helps Word keep edits together.

About the restore/compare behavior:

• That behavior is consistent with Word detecting conflicting edits rather than a single continuously synced version.
• If more than one edit stream affects the same content, Word may require conflict resolution.
• In collaboration scenarios, if more than one person edits the same section at the same time, the document is not saved online until conflicts are resolved.
• In Word, tracked or conflicting changes can appear in the margin, which matches the “recently deleted” view being seen.

Practical checklist for this document:

1. Open the story on the MacBook.
2. Check that it is stored in OneDrive, not On My Mac.
3. Check the file format; if it is .doc, convert it to .docx.
4. Make sure the document is not marked as final and does not use editing restrictions.
5. On iPad and Mac, open the file from the same OneDrive location.
6. After editing on one device, let the save complete before opening and editing the same section on the other device.

For the best co-editing experience, Word guidance recommends working together in Word for the web, where real-time changes are visible. If desktop-only features are added in Word on Mac that are not supported in Word for the web, co-authoring may continue only in desktop Word until those unsupported features are removed.

• Why can’t I simultaneously work with others on a shared document?
• Use a screen reader to save a document in Word
• Work together on a document in Word for the web
• Video: Log in to Office for iPad
• Save a file in Office for Mac
• Collaborate in Word
• Work together on Office documents