Opening a blank document in Word

To create a new Word document, open Microsoft Word on your computer. When Word launches, you will see a start screen with template options. Click the blank document thumbnail — it is usually the first option in the top left — or select "Blank document" from the menu. A new, empty page will open and you are ready to type.

If Word is already open with another document, you can create a new blank document by pressing Ctrl+N on Windows or Command+N on Mac. This opens a fresh page without closing your current work.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the blank document thumbnail when Word opens, or press Ctrl+N (Windows) or Command+N (Mac) to create a new document.
  • Type directly into the page; Word formats text automatically with default font, size, and spacing.
  • Save your document by pressing Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command+S (Mac), then choose a location and give it a name ending in .docx.
  • Word saves to your computer's hard drive by default, but you can save to OneDrive or SharePoint to access the document from other devices.
  • Use the File menu to open, close, or recover recent documents if something goes wrong.

Typing and basic formatting

Once the blank document is open, click anywhere on the page and start typing. Word uses a default font (usually Calibri or Arial) and standard spacing. As you type, Word automatically wraps text to the next line when you reach the right margin — you do not need to press Enter except to start a new paragraph.

To format text after you have typed it, select the words by clicking and dragging across them, then use the buttons in the toolbar at the top. The B button makes text bold, the I button makes it italic, and the U button underlines it. You can also change the font name, font size, or text color using the dropdown menus in the toolbar.

Saving your document for the first time

Save your work frequently so you do not lose it if your computer shuts down unexpectedly. Press Ctrl+S on Windows or Command+S on Mac. A dialog box will appear asking you where to save the file and what to name it.

Choose a location — your Documents folder is a common choice — and type a name for your document. Word automatically adds the file extension .docx, so you do not need to type it yourself. Click Save, and your document is now stored on your computer. After the first save, pressing Ctrl+S or Command+S will update the same file without asking where to save it again.

Where Word saves your documents

By default, Word saves documents to your computer's hard drive, usually in a folder called Documents or My Documents. You can browse to this folder using File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) to find and open your saved documents later.

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can also save documents to OneDrive or SharePoint instead of your local hard drive. This lets you access the document from any computer or device with an internet connection. To save to OneDrive, click File, then Save As, and select your OneDrive folder from the list. OneDrive also keeps older versions of your document so you can recover text if you accidentally delete something.

Opening a document you have already created

To open a document you saved earlier, press Ctrl+O on Windows or Command+O on Mac. A file browser will open showing your Documents folder and other locations. Find the document you want, click it once to select it, then click Open.

Word also shows a list of recent documents when you first open the program. If you see the document you want in that list, you can click it directly to open it without using the file browser. If you cannot find a recent document, use the file browser method instead.

Recovering a document if something goes wrong

If Word closes unexpectedly or your computer loses power, Word can often recover your unsaved work. When you reopen Word, look for a notification or panel on the left side of the screen that says "Document Recovery" or shows a list of recovered files. Click the document you want to restore, and Word will open it with your recent changes.

If you do not see a recovery panel, go to File, then Info, and look for a "Manage versions" or "Recover unsaved documents" option. Word stores temporary copies of your work, so there is often a way to get back text you thought was lost. Once you recover the document, save it when ready with Ctrl+S or Command+S so the changes are permanent.

Choosing between saving locally and using OneDrive

Saving to your computer's hard drive (local storage) is the simplest option if you only work on one device and do not need to share the document. Your files stay private and you do not need an internet connection to open them. However, if your computer breaks or the hard drive fails, you lose the document unless you have a backup.

Saving to OneDrive is better if you work on multiple devices, need to share documents with others, or want automatic backups. OneDrive syncs your documents across your phone, tablet, and other computers, so you always have the latest version. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, OneDrive storage is included. The trade-off is that you need an internet connection to upload and read files, though you can work offline and sync when you reconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between saving and autosave?

Saving is when you press Ctrl+S or Command+S to store your document manually. Autosave is a feature in Microsoft 365 that saves your document automatically every few seconds without you doing anything. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription and save to OneDrive, autosave is usually turned on by default. If you save to your local hard drive, autosave may not be available depending on your version of Word.

Can I create a Word document without Microsoft Office installed?

Yes. You can use Word Online, which is a free web version of Word available through Microsoft 365.com or OneDrive. Word Online lets you create and edit documents in your web browser without installing anything on your computer. The features are more limited than the desktop version, but it works for basic typing and formatting. You need a Microsoft account to use it.

What file format should I save my document in?

Save as .docx (Word Document) unless you have a specific reason to use another format. .docx is the standard format that works with all versions of Word and most other word processors. If you need to share with someone using very old software, you can save as .doc, but .docx is the default and recommended choice.

How do I change the default font and size for new documents?

Select the text you want to change, then click the font name or size dropdown in the toolbar and choose what you want. To make this the default for all future documents, select the text, then go to Home, click the small arrow in the bottom right of the Font group, and select "Set as Default." Word will use your chosen font and size for every new blank document you create.