This article explains how to open Microsoft Office files, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint documents, on your iPad using OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud-based storage. Instructions cover iOS 11 and later.

What to Know

  • On the device with your files, navigate to the OneDrive website and sign in, if necessary.
  • Navigate to the folder on your hard drive that contains your Office documents. Select and drag your documents to OneDrive.
  • When you open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint on the iPad, your files will now be waiting for you.

How to Transfer Your Files to OneDrive

  • Visit the OneDrive website from the computer containing your files and sign in, if needed.
  • Open the folder on your hard drive that contains your Office documents. On a Windows-based PC, you can get there via Windows Explorer. On a Mac, you can use Finder.
  • Select and drag your documents into OneDrive. They will upload automatically. If you have a lot of files, this could take some time to complete.
  • When you go into Word, Excel, or PowerPoint on the iPad, your files will now be waiting for you.

Use OneDrive on Your PC, Too

It’s a good idea to use OneDrive for both your iPad and your PC. This will keep your files synced across both devices. Microsoft Office even supports multiple users in a document at the same time.

Visit the OneDrive website from the computer containing your files and sign in, if needed.

Open the folder on your hard drive that contains your Office documents. On a Windows-based PC, you can get there via Windows Explorer. On a Mac, you can use Finder.

Select and drag your documents into OneDrive. They will upload automatically. If you have a lot of files, this could take some time to complete.

When you go into Word, Excel, or PowerPoint on the iPad, your files will now be waiting for you.

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