Multiple issues with Microsoft Word on android

Hi! If this happens with any document, try reinstalling OneDrive on your phone.

Remove your Microsoft account from the app > Uninstall it > Go to your phone's Settings > Look for Accounts or Accounts and Sync > Microsoft > Remove your Microsoft account > Restart your phone > Install it again from the official app store and sign in with your Microsoft account.

The described behavior matches several known limitations and quirks of Word for Android rather than a single fixable bug.

1. Documents defaulting to OneDrive
   Word for Android is designed around cloud storage and will default to online locations such as OneDrive or SharePoint. The help content for Word on Android tablets and phones focuses on syncing and working with online files, which indicates that cloud locations are the primary save targets. There is no documented way in the provided material to permanently change the default so that new documents always save locally instead of OneDrive.
2. Documents opening as protected / read-only
   On Android, some file types and protection modes are only supported as read-only. For example, IRM-protected files, macro-enabled documents (.docm), OpenDocument Text (.odt), PDF, and some other formats open read-only and must be converted to .docx to edit. The documented behavior is that such files can require saving a new editable copy (usually as .docx) before editing can continue. This aligns with the need to “save them again to continue working.”
3. Random white-on-black text and other visual glitches
   The Android and mobile Word apps are significantly limited compared to desktop versions and can behave differently, especially with formatting and display. The documentation and Q&A content emphasize that mobile apps are stripped down and that some features and behaviors differ from desktop Word. Visual anomalies such as unexpected color changes or dark/light mode interactions are not specifically documented here, but they are consistent with the known limitations and the fact that Dark Mode and related features can have issues (for example, copied text sometimes appearing with unexpected colors in Dark Mode).
4. Cursor jumping and typing stopping
   Again, this is consistent with mobile limitations rather than a documented, specific bug with a known fix in the provided content. The mobile Word apps are described as limited and not equivalent to desktop Word. Complex documents, heavy formatting, or sync/auto-save interactions with OneDrive can cause cursor jumps or interruptions in editing on mobile devices.
5. Practical options based on the provided material

• Use Word for Android primarily for lighter editing and rely on the desktop versions (Windows or Mac) for complex formatting and stable long-form work.
• When a file opens as read-only or protected, save a new copy in .docx format to continue editing.
• If issues persist, especially with formatting or cursor behavior, consider using the web version of Word in a browser on the tablet or editing on a desktop where possible.
• Provide feedback about these mobile limitations directly from within the app so that it reaches the product team; Q&A forums are not monitored by developers.

Overall, the issues described are consistent with the documented limitations and behaviors of Word for Android and the mobile Office apps rather than a configuration problem that can be fully resolved from the available documentation.

References:

• Word for Android Tablets Help
• Word for Android Phones Help
• Why can't I open my file in Word on a mobile device?
• Dark Mode in Word
• Android word is so stripped back, its useless, will you be improving it soon, or do I have to go elsewhere for something worth using - Microsoft Q&A