Updated: March 27, 2023
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by Anna Chernetska
Tech Expert & Writer
712 resolved issues
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Smartphones, Tablets, Apps, 4G/5G issues

I have lost a word document when my computer lost power

had not saved it since i had it open on my desk top

Hello, thank you for using Howly. I’ll be happy to help you out! May I ask your name?

Customer Replay

*****

Nice to meet you, *****!

Customer Replay

also, I have an imac and i was working on a Microsoft word document

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AutoRecover, a feature that is available in some Office applications, attempts to recover files automatically in the event of an application or system crash. It does this by periodically saving a copy of the file in the background. By default, AutoRecover saves a recovery file every 10 minutes.

Customer Replay

ok, how do I access autorecover?

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In some cases, you can set how frequently these AutoRecover files are saved. For example, if you set AutoRecover to save every 5 minutes, you may recover more information in the event of unexpected shutdown — such as from a power outage — than if it's set to save every 10 or 15 minutes.
If you manually save your file, the previous AutoRecover files are removed because you've just saved your changes.
Normally, the application will automatically recover your work the next time that you open the app following a power failure or other unexpected shutdown by detecting that an AutoRecover file exists and automatically opening it. If you want to keep the recovered file, you should immediately save it before closing or editing it.
If you want to find any AutoRecovered files on your computer, switch to Finder,then click Go > Go To Folder (or press SHIFT + COMMAND + G)  and enter the appropriate folder path from the table below. Replace <username> with your username:
Word/Users/<username>/Library/Containers/com.Microsoft/
Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery
The AutoRecovery folder is a hidden folder, so you probably won't see it if you just try to navigate to it in Finder. Use the Go To Folder tool and enter the full path to get around this.
Is everything clear with the provided instruction?

Customer Replay

Ok, yes but ...I cannot find
would my Imac have shifted screen ...how do I shift screens? Geez I'm not very techinical

Swipe left or right with three or four fingers on your trackpad, or swipe left or right with two fingers on your Magic Mouse to switch between screens

Customer Replay

Ok, ill see if that works

Were you able to complete this instruction?
Switch to Finder, then click Go > Go To Folder (or press SHIFT + COMMAND + G) and enter the appropriate folder path from the table below. Replace <username> with your username: Word

Customer Replay

Yes, I was. But I could not find the doc since I cannot remember what i called it or what the title was...:(

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Got you
Please, follow the instructions below:

  1. Open the Word program
  2. On the Word menu, click Preferences.
  3. Under Authoring and Proofing Tools, click the General icon.
  4. Make sure that the Confirm file format conversion at the Open check box is selected, and then close
    the General dialog box.
  5. Click File, Open.
  6. On the Open menu towards the bottom right select Recover Text.
    Click Open > Recover Text then open your damaged document to attempt recovery


Open the document.

Customer Replay

Ok, got it! But everytime I open the word program it opens a word document i have open already. And it does not give me the option of opening a new document. should I close all docs I have open?

I'm glad you were able to get it back!
To create a new document:

  1. Open Word. Or, if Word is already open, select File > New.
  2. Select Create
Customer Replay

OK, I'm sorry, this is painful

No worries
Were you able to open a new document?

Customer Replay

yes, but im looking for the cues you gave me, im slow

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No, worries, please take your time
*****, if you are opening Word by clicking on the specific document it will always open this document

Customer Replay

when i open a new doc it does not give me preferences

What do you mean by that?

Customer Replay

i get the menu home, insert, draw etc...
I found it!!!!!

Perfect!
Is there anything else I can do for you today?

Customer Replay

Thank you so much!! and dont ask me what I did or where i went!
No, that was great!!!!

My pleasure!
I am so pleased to see your issue got resolved!

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