Microsoft 365 Help / Staff guides
OneDrive Web

Create and edit Office documents on the web

Use Word, Excel and PowerPoint in your browser and let changes save to OneDrive.

About 8 minutes Follow at your own pace

Before you start

  • Use an up-to-date computer browser and stay connected.
  • You have an appropriate work licence and edit permission.

Follow these steps

0 of 8 steps done

  1. Open the correct folder

    In OneDrive, check your work account, then open the folder where you want the document to be stored.

  2. Open or create the document

    Click an existing Word, Excel or PowerPoint file. To start fresh, choose Add new or New, then the Word document, Excel workbook or PowerPoint presentation option.

  3. Name a new document

    If you just created a new document, click its temporary name at the top, type a clear name such as Site inspection notes, and press Enter. Leave an existing shared file’s name unchanged unless you intend to rename it.

  4. Choose the web editor

    If a preview appears, select Open > Open in browser or Edit in browser. If an installed-app prompt appears, continue in the browser when that option is offered.

  5. Check Editing mode

    Look near the top for Editing. If it shows Viewing, open that menu and select Editing if available. If it is not offered, ask the owner for edit access.

  6. Make your changes

    Type in Word, select and edit cells in Excel, or choose a slide in PowerPoint. Other authorised colleagues can work in the same file; coordinate major changes with them.

  7. Wait for the save confirmation

    Look near the file name for the saved status. Keep the tab open while it says Saving. Changes to the cloud document normally save automatically.

  8. Return and verify

    Close the document tab to return to OneDrive, or use the document’s back navigation. Reopen the file and check your change is there.

You have finished when…

  • The file has the correct name and your changes are present after reopening it.

Helpful tips

  • To make a separate version for a new job, use Save a copy rather than overwriting the original template.
  • Web editors do not support every desktop feature. Excel macros and some advanced layouts need an appropriate desktop app.
  • For an unwanted change, use the file’s Version history and review the earlier version before restoring it.

Something looks different?

The file is read-only.

Check Can edit permission and that the document format is supported. A protected or specialised file may need the owner or desktop app.

A browser connection error appears.

Leave the document open and reconnect. Check that saving completes before closing the tab.

The file downloads instead of editing.

Check the file type and use Open in browser where available. PDF and other non-Office formats may only preview, and unsupported formats can download.

Microsoft help & further guidance

Menu names can change as Microsoft updates the apps. These official pages include further instructions.