Cannot be replaced word

It can be challenging to locate specific information when working with lengthy documents, such as books and reports. Microsoft Word provides users with two tools, find and replace, to streamline this task.

When users try to replace words using the Find and Replace feature, the program throws an error message: Microsoft Word cannot find a match though the terms exist in the document.

It’s ok if the text you are attempting to replace in your Word document doesn’t exist and you encounter the error. However, if the text exists in the Word doc and still shows the error, that indicates a problem.

Let’s take a glance to discover and resolve the issue of MS Word find and replace not working error.

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Find and Replace is not working on Microsoft Word due to the search formation of the find input box, a corrupted MS Word doc, or MS Office program. Also, if your Word document file is protected with a password, the Find and Replace feature is not functioning correctly.

Due to some reasons, the Find and Replace feature is not functioning properly on MS Word that I mentioned earlier. Now, I will try to describe these issues to know more.

Here are the possible reason for Find and Replace is not working on MS Word:

Password Protected File

If your MS Word doc file is protected with a password, the Find and Replace feature is not functioning on your document.

Find Input Box Set with Formating

Another reason for Find and Replace accurately not working is your Find input field set with the special format. When the Find input field is set with any particular search command, the Find feature works only for it.

Check out our separate post on Microsoft Word Ctrl+Z not Working

Corrupted MS Word Doc

A corrupted MS Word document is one of the common reasons for encountering the issue because a corrupted document perfectly does not load or work while it opens in MS Word.

Corrupted MS Office Program

When the MS Office program file is corrupted, the Find and Replace feature accurately does not work on your Word, and you encounter the error while you try to find and replace any word.

Here’s a complete guide on how to set background image on MS Word.

How to Fix Find and Replace Not Working On Microsoft Word

Microsoft Office Suite is a group of productivity applications, and Microsoft Word is one of the core applications often used for crafting business documents.

To ease this problem, I will guide you through some proven and tested methods to fix the issue of the MS Word find and replace feature not working correctly in this section.

Okay, let’s get started without further ado.

Here are the steps to fix the Find and Replace not working on Microsoft Word:

1. Ensure your Word File isn’t Password Protected

First, ensure that your document is not password protected if the find and replace option in your Microsoft Word program is not working.

If it is protected with a password, then you will need to remove the password before using the find and replace function.

Also, check out our separate post on how to make only one page landscape in Word.

2. Make Sure Search Options Checkboxes are Unchecked

MS Word Search Options checkboxes are sometimes set with some criteria, and the program works based on these criteria. When the Word search feature is set on specific search criteria, the Find feature is not functioning correctly.

So, you must ensure none of the Search Options checkboxes are checked. If the checkboxes are selected, you need to remove them. Follow the steps below to do this.

Here are the steps to uncheck the Search Options checkboxes:

Check out the easiest way to enable equation editor in Microsoft Word.

3. Clear Format

If you use any Format to find a specific font, paragraph, or style, then clear all the formats to resolve your Find and replace not functioning issue.

Here are the steps to clear format:

Quickly check out our epic guide on how to enable word wrap in notepad.

4. Start Word in Safe Mode

The most effective and proven method to solve the Find and Replace feature correctly not functioning is to start word in safe mode.

You can try to start Word in safe mode to resolve the issue. To open the Word in safe mode shortcut, press and hold the Ctrl button and click on the Word icon.

You can also start Word in safe mode from the Windows Run program. Follow the steps below to do so.

Here are the steps to open MS Word in safe mode:

Note: There is space between winword.exe and ‘/.’

Have some time to spare? Quickly check out our epic guide on why can’t I copy paste in Microsoft Word.

5. Restart your PC

When you encounter any problem with your device, the first and most effective thing you can do is reboot it. Rebooting works like magic to solve many issues.

As a first step, please try to restart your computer and see if the problem is resolved. If restarting the device does not help, please try the new troubleshooting steps.

6. Repair MS Office Program

Another tested method to resolve the Find and Replace not functioning problem is repairing the MS Office program.

You can try to repair the MS Office program to resolve the problem. Sometimes, repairing the Office program can fix your problem effortlessly.

Here are the steps to repair the MS Office program:

But before that, go through our epic guide on do Microsoft points still work.

7. Reinstall MS Office Program

The final method to fix your Find and Replace not the functioning problem is reinstalling the MS Office program.

If none of the methods work, uninstall the Office program and then reinstall it to resolve your problem. Reinstalling the program helps you remove all the corrupted files and install the new fresh files.

Here are the steps to reinstall the MS Office program:

Check out our separate post on how to insert word page numbers in MS Word.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Office Find and Replace option is a remarkable feature that helps users find a specific word or text within a second and replace it with different words. Using this feature, you can easily modify your word doc file quickly.

Some users reported that Find and Replace option is not correctly functioning when they try to modify some words or text. If you also encounter the same issue, don’t be upset. Follow the methods I described in this post to resolve the problem within a minute.

That’s all for now. Plenty of solutions to consider. As usual, check out our other details for more information and details.

Goodbye. Have a good day.

“Why Microsoft Word won’t let me edit?”

Word documents are very important in an office setting as a lot of official work and reports are done in Microsoft Word. Microsoft’s Productive Suite is very easy to work in, with Microsoft Word being one of the best text editors available in the market. But what if for some reason you can’t edit Word document all of a sudden? It can be especially problematic for office workers.

We definitely understand how distressing this problem can, which is why in this article we have discussed several ways that can be used to diagnose and troubleshoot this problem.

We have shown a VIDEO walk through at the end of the post for easy solution. 

There can be various reasons that can stop you from editing your Word document, let’s look at the causes of this problem:

• If the trial version of the office program that you are running expires, then you can face this issue.
• The Word file may be set to open in read-only mode, which is why you are unable to edit it.
• If editing the Word document has been restricted, then this problem can occur.
• The Protected view feature is enabled can restrict editing documents that can potentially harm your computer.
• If more than one user has the document open in a shared network, then you cannot edit the Word document.
• The the file may not be a Word document (.docx) but rather converted to .doc, which is why Microsoft Word won’t let you edit it.

What To Do When You Can’t Edit Word Document

Now that you know the various causes of this problem, it’s time to troubleshoot them one by one.

Solution 1: Check Some Basic Issues

This problem can occur if you are using a trial version of the Office program and the trial period has expired. The first thing that you need to do if you are using a trial version is to check if the trial period has finished.

Next, if the document you want to edit is in any removable device, then copy it and paste it in your hard disk and then try editing it.

Then, check if the Word is asking for a password when you are trying to edit the document. If yes, then ask the owner of the document to give you the password.

Finally, check if the document you are trying to open is really a .doc file. Sometimes this problem can arise when other file formats are converted into .doc, which Microsoft Word may not allow to be edited.

Solution 2: Disable Read-Only Mode

This problem can also occur if the document has been opened in read-only mode. In this scenario, disabling the read-only mode should fix this problem.

To disable the read-only mode, follow the steps given below:

1. Locate the Word document you want to edit and right-click on it.
2. Click on the Properties option from the pop-up menu.
3. Uncheck the Read-only attribute in the General tab.

1. Now, select the Security tab and see if the elements in the Group or user names section have been allowed the Full control, Modify, Read & execute, Read, Write permissions.
2. If they are not allowed then, click on the Edit option below the Group or user names section and select the boxes for the options given above.
3. Finally, click on Apply and OK to save all the changes.

Now, check if you still can’t edit Word document. This solution should fix this problem.

Solution 3: Change the Restrict Editing Settings

As mentioned above, documents can be restricted to edit. If this is the case, then changing the Restrict Editing settings should fix this problem.

To change the Restrict Editing settings, follow the steps given below:

1. First, open the document in Microsoft Word and then click on the Review option.
2. Click on the Restrict Editing option. If any of the restriction boxes are selected, then uncheck them.
3. Close down the document and reopen it.

Disabling the Restrict Editing feature should solve this issue.

Solution 4: Disable The Protected View Feature

The Protected View feature in Microsoft Word basically opens the potentially malicious documents in a restricted mode. Thus, this security feature can stop you from editing the Word document if it considers the document as malicious or a threat to your computer.

To disable Protected view, follow the steps given below:

1. Open the document in the Microsoft Word and click on the File option.
2. Scroll down and click on the Options It will open the Word options panel on your computer.
3. Now, click on the Trust Centre option and then click on the Trust Centre Settings.

1. Click on the Protected View option.
2. Now, uncheck all the options related to Protected View and then click on OK.

Close the document and then reopen it. Check if you are able to edit it or not. If you still cannot edit Word document, then try the next solution.

Solution 5: Remove The Owner Of The File

If you are trying to open a word document that is available in a shared network and you are unable to edit it, then most likely someone else has the file opened and already editing it. If that’s the case then the file will only open in Read-only mode, unless you remove the file owner.

To remove the file owner, follow the steps given below:

1. First, save the word document that you are unable to edit and then close down all the programs, including the document.
2. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys on your desktop to open the Task Manager.
3. In the Processes tab, locate and right-click on the exe process and then click on the End Process option in the pop-up menu.
4. If any dialog opens up asking to close down the program because it’s not responding, then click on Ok.
5. Close the Task Manager and navigate to the folder in which the Word document is located.
6. Locate the file named as ~$cument.doc and delete it.
7. Now, open the document in Microsoft Word. If any dialog appears asking to load changes made to the template, then click on No.

This solution should fix this problem.

 

Wrapping Up

So, now you know what to do if you can’t edit Word document. The troubleshooting methods given above should help you fix this problem. Feel free to share your thoughts on the article in the comment section.