why cant copilot open any word docs?

Copilot can fail to open or use a Word document when the file format, permissions, or file location is unsupported.

Check these first:

1. Confirm the file format is supported For Microsoft Copilot, supported document formats include .docx, .doc, .docm, .pdf, .txt, .rtf, .md, .html, and .htm for work or school, and .docx, .doc, .pdf, .txt, .rtf, .html, and .htm in Word for personal/family scenarios.
2. Use a supported location Local paths are not supported for file upload in Microsoft Copilot. Use an uploaded or cloud-hosted file instead.
3. Check file permissions If access to the file is restricted, Copilot can block the upload or fail to read it.
4. Reduce file size or complexity Very long documents or complex files may need to be split into smaller documents.
5. If the file is on Android or mobile Open the file from OneDrive - Personal or OneDrive - <business name> in the Microsoft Copilot mobile app. On Android, Word may only show Word documents when opened through the Word app.
6. If the document still will not open in Word on mobile The file may contain elements that Word for Android cannot read. Open it in Word for Windows, Word for the web, or Word for iOS, let Word recover the document, then save a copy. After that, it should open more broadly.

If the goal is to have Copilot work with the document inside Word, saving the file as .docx in OneDrive is the most direct fix.

• File formats supported by Microsoft Copilot
• File formats supported by Microsoft Copilot
• Install and set up the Microsoft Copilot app on an Android | Microsoft Support
• Why can't I open my Office for Android file? | Microsoft Support