How to Convert Word Documents to Pages on Mac

Microsoft 365 is gaining popularity as an alternative to the traditional Office productivity suite. Many companies and enterprises rely on Microsoft Office for their document needs, while individuals often opt for Apple Pages. However, to seamlessly switch between the two, you’ll need to convert file types.

The process works both ways. You can convert Apple Pages documents to Word files as well. During the process, keep in mind that the formatting shouldn’t change drastically.

It’s also useful for those working on the same document between PC and Mac. If you’ve created a document on Microsoft Word but want to edit it on a Mac, you’ll find that your Mac does not come with Microsoft Word. Instead, Apple’s built-in word processing software is called Pages.

While you could purchase and download the Microsoft Office suite for your Mac computer, it’s also easy to convert a Word document into Pages. In this post, we will talk about how to convert Word documents to Pages and vice versa. You can use both the Word web and Mac app to complete the process. Let’s get started.

How to Convert Word Files to Pages on Mac

If you are fully invested in an Apple ecosystem and don’t have Microsoft apps like OneDrive or Microsoft Word, you have two options. You can download these apps on Mac to open the saved Word documents or use the Office web to download the Word documents.

We will stick with the second option as it’s quick and doesn’t require downloading additional apps. (After all, the Microsoft Word app on Mac weighs more than 1GB). Follow the steps below to download and convert Word documents to Pages on Mac.

Step 1: Visit Office Online on the web and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Step 2: Here, you will see all the Office online apps and recently used documents.

Step 3: Use the search bar to open the Word document you want to convert.

Step 4: Open the document using the Word web app and click on File in the upper left corner.

Step 5: Select Save As and Download a Copy on your Mac.

Step 6: Open the Apple Pages app and go to File > Open. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Command + O to open the file on your Mac.

Step 7: Locate the Word file and open it in Pages.

Step 8:

The software will convert the file type from Word to Pages during the opening process.

Based on the document and content type, Apple Pages will remove some incompatible components from the Word document. For example, the default Calibri fonts will be replaced in Pages.

Unlike Word, all major editing options are shown on the right side. You can add images, tables, links, etc. Similar to Microsoft Word, Apple Pages also provides templates.

Make changes to the Pages file, and all changes will be saved.

If you need to share an Apple Pages document with colleagues or friends, convert it to a Word file for better compatibility with other word processors. Here are the steps to convert a Pages document to a Word file:

Step 1: Open the Apple Pages app and select the file you want to convert and share.

Step 2: Make any necessary changes and finalize the document.

Step 3: Click on the File menu in the upper left corner.

Step 4: Select Export and choose the Word option.

Step 5: If prompted, add a password for additional security measures.

Step 6: Click on Advanced Options and select the desired extension, such as .docx or .doc.

Select Next and save it on the device. Your Apple Pages document is successfully converted to a Word file. Now, it’s ready to share.

Not only that, but you can also convert these Pages documents to PDF, Plain Text, and even publish them directly to Apple Books.

Before sharing your document, review it carefully. Formatting may have changed, and you may need to make adjustments. There’s a possibility that the export process affected the document’s usability.

Microsoft Word (.docx) is a recognizable document compatible with other programs. When using a Mac, convert it to Pages to make changes in the Apple Pages app. After making changes, export it as a Word file before sharing it.

Next up: Confused between Apple Pages and Microsoft Word? Read below to find the differences and pick the better option.