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    Essential Skills
    Beginner
    5 min read 6 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Use Microsoft Word Online for Free

    Write, format, and share documents at Office.com using the free version of Word — no software installation needed.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Essential Skills
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    5 min read
    Steps
    6
    Topics covered
    Microsoft Word
    Word Online
    documents
    free
    Office 365

    In this guide (6 steps):

    1. 1.Go to Office.com and sign in
    2. 2.Create a new Word document
    3. 3.Type and format your document
    4. 4.Save your work to OneDrive
    5. 5.Share your document with someone else
    6. 6.Download or print your document
    1

    Go to Office.com and sign in

    ~22s
    Open your web browser and type office.com in the address bar, then press Enter. Click Sign In and enter your Microsoft account email and password. If you do not have a Microsoft account, click Create one. It is free and takes about two minutes.

    Quick Tip

    If you have an Outlook.com, Hotmail, or Xbox email address, that is already a Microsoft account. Use those same login details here.

    2

    Create a new Word document

    ~20s
    Once signed in, you will see a row of app icons near the top. Click the Word icon (it looks like a blue W). On the Word home screen, click New blank document to start fresh, or choose one of the templates listed below — like Resume, Letter, or Flyer — to get a head start with a pre-designed layout.
    3

    Type and format your document

    ~31s
    Click anywhere on the white page area and start typing. To make text bold, select the words you want to change by clicking and dragging over them, then click the B button in the toolbar at the top. Use the font size box (it shows a number like 11 or 12) to make text larger or smaller. The Heading styles in the toolbar help organize longer documents with clear section titles.

    Quick Tip

    Use Ctrl+B for bold, Ctrl+I for italic, and Ctrl+U for underline — these keyboard shortcuts work in Word Online the same as in the desktop app.

    4

    Save your work to OneDrive

    ~23s
    Word Online saves your document automatically every few seconds to your OneDrive cloud storage. You will see a small "Saved" message near the top of the screen when it saves. To rename your document, click on the default name (usually "Document1") at the very top of the page and type a new name, then press Enter. Your file will appear in your OneDrive folder the next time you visit office.com.
    5

    Share your document with someone else

    ~36s
    Click the Share button in the top-right corner. You can type someone's email address to invite them directly, or click Copy link to create a shareable web link. Choose whether the person can View only (they can read but not change anything) or Edit (they can make changes). Send them the link by email or text message and they can open it in their own browser without needing Word installed.

    Warning

    If you choose "Anyone with the link can edit," anyone who receives that link — even if you did not intend to send it to them — can make changes to your document. Use the "Specific people" option for sensitive documents.

    6

    Download or print your document

    ~21s
    To save a copy to your computer, click File in the top-left menu, then Save As, then Download a Copy. Your browser will download a .docx file that opens in any version of Word. To save as a PDF instead, choose Download as PDF. To print, click File then Print, or press Ctrl+P on your keyboard — your browser's print dialog will open.

    You Did It!

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    Microsoft Word Online is the free, browser-based version of the Word software many people already know. You do not need to buy Microsoft 365 or install anything on your computer to use it. All you need is a free Microsoft account and an internet connection. Word Online runs in your web browser — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari — and works on Windows, Mac, iPad, or Android.

    Word Online lets you create new documents, open files someone sends you, and edit existing documents saved in your OneDrive cloud storage. It covers all the basics: typing text, changing fonts, adjusting font size, making words bold or italic, adding headings, inserting lists, and checking spelling. It does lack a few advanced features found in the paid desktop version — things like advanced page layout tools, mail merge, and some macro features — but for everyday letters, resumes, reports, and notes, it handles everything you need.

    One of the biggest benefits is automatic saving. Every change you make is saved to your OneDrive automatically. So you will never lose your work due to a computer crash or forgetting to save. You can also share a document with someone else by sending them a link, letting them view or even edit the file — no email attachment required.

    When you are done, you can download your document as a standard .docx file (which opens in any version of Word) or as a PDF that anyone can read. You can also print directly from the browser.

    If you have a Microsoft account from Xbox, Hotmail, Outlook.com, or a school, you already have access. Visit office.com and sign in to get started today.

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    Microsoft Word
    Word Online
    documents
    free
    Office 365

    Official Resources

    GCFGlobal — Free Digital SkillsAARP Technology TipsSenior Planet

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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