editing a Word document on my iMac

Question

Level 1

10 points

editing a Word document on my iMac

I have been sent a form which I need to fill in; the form is in Word. I know that there is a web version of Word that can be used to create my own Word documents, but I can't see how to import this Word based form onto my Mac (or iPad), so that I can complete it and return it. I just get a banner to say that to save or edit the form I need to get a Microsoft 365 subscription - the cost of which has just increased from around £59 to £89. I resent paying that for an occasional use of Word. Is there any way around this?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 15.7

Posted on Oct 27, 2025 2:47 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

lkrupp

Level 7

21,883 points

Oct 27, 2025 7:30 AM in response to Viridis42

Apple’s own default word processor Pages will open and edit Word files. It’s already on your Mac, no need to download anything. After editing you can save it as a Word document.

Open or close a document in Pages on Mac - Apple Support

Convert to Word, PDF, or another file format in Pages on Mac - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 27, 2025 3:14 AM in response to Viridis42

Download the free open source suite LibreOffice. It will open WORD (and Appleworks!) documents, you can amend the document and you can save again as a Word document before sending it back. The suite also has a spreadsheet programme etc. It will cost you £89 less than what MS has quoted you for 365!!!!!

Reply

Answer 3

Rudegar

Level 10

179,844 points

Oct 27, 2025 3:15 AM in response to Viridis42

you can use libre office it's free and support ms office files

Home | LibreOffice - Free and private office suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatible with Microsoft

Reply

Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

215,082 points

Oct 27, 2025 12:09 PM in response to Viridis42

Another option is to get the free, open source app LibreOffice. It can open, edit and save MS Office documents in the original format or its own format.

Reply

Answer 5

VikingOSX

Level 10

122,958 points

Oct 27, 2025 9:53 AM in response to lkrupp

You should remember that Apple's Pages has no form creation nor support for translating forms already in Word documents. Wrong tool recommendation for the OP's special use case.

Free alternatives might be Microsoft's own web-based Office suite, LibreOffice, or FreeOffice.

Reply