Find and Find/Replace no longer work in Microsoft Word for iPad - help!

Douglas Stoker 85 Reputation points
2025-10-10T00:22:34.82+00:00

Today, while trying to work on a novel I am writing, the Find function is no longer working – either Cmd-F or the magnifying glass. I need to be able to use this function to continue working efficiently! In an attempt to answer any questions up front:

-              When did you first notice that Command-F stopped working? This morning (10/09). There was an update last night that changed the functionality of Word. Yes, the Find function works in other apps, including web browsers, emails, and Notes.

-              Which version of Word are you using on the iPad? My iPadOS is version 26.0.1 and the Word version is 2.102. I updated iPadOS to 26.0.1 to today to make sure it was the latest version, and still doesn’t work.

-              Are you working in a document saved locally or in OneDrive? Both – the search function does not work regardless of where the file is located

-              Is the issue happening in all Word documents or just specific ones? Every Word document I have tried

-              Are you using a physical keyboard or the on-screen keyboard? I have a physical keyboard, but it fails to work with the on-screen keyboard as well.

-              Check Keyboard Functionality: Kindly test Command-F in another app (e.g., Safari or Notes) – the Search command works in multiple web browsers, email, and Notes

-              Use on-screen Find tool – the on-scren Find tool (the little magnifying glass) does not work either. I type in a phrase – one I am looking at on screen, so I know it is in the document – and it closes without showing any actions

-              Restart your iPad – I’ve restarted my iPad, three times

-              Update Word and iPadOS (if they are not up to date) – as stated, I updated everything this morning. The problem started when I updated Word – automatically – last night

-              Reinstall Microsoft Word – this is painful. I did this, not realizing ALL of my saved documents were in a Word File that would be deleted. I lost multiple chapters of a book I am writing, a cookbook I am writing of my favorite recipes, a journal, and multiple other highly important documents to me … because I deleted and reinstalled Word. I am NOT HAPPY with Word currently.

-              Make sure your documents are backed up to OneDrive or iCloud first – yeah, should have double checked this, but it doesn’t change the fact that I never would have lost them if MICROSOFT hadn’t released a BONEHEADED update for Bug Fixes … and destroyed one of the main features of ANY word processor.

 

Please find a way to re-activate the Find or Find/Replace option – it’s stupid that it is nonfunctional.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | iOS

13 answers

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  1. Graham Jarman 0 Reputation points
    2025-11-12T10:02:03.1133333+00:00

    The problem is fixed now

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  2. jackie gadd 0 Reputation points
    2025-11-08T21:01:13.4433333+00:00

    FWIW I found the "FIND" function when I switched to MOBILE VIEW (using the icon at the upper right) and then had access to a SIMPLE find function (magnifying glass) that offers no changing /update options nor replace options.

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  3. Donna Chesteen 0 Reputation points
    2025-10-22T18:53:23.9666667+00:00

    I have found a solution that works for me. Now there appears to be two different apps: "word" and a "copilot". I cannot search in copilot but when I open with word, search works!!

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  4. Dominic Donnelly 0 Reputation points
    2025-10-19T19:22:54.8166667+00:00

    I can longer create new word documents

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  5. Steve Cheal 10 Reputation points
    2025-10-18T18:00:33.91+00:00

    It’s a huge issue - I’m paying for a subscription and I use the Find function all the time. This is a situation they need to sort out ASAP

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