When it comes to working with documents, most people are familiar with Microsoft Word. The program has been the default word processing software for many years, and it is not likely to change anytime soon.
With the rise of online document editors like Google Docs and Dropbox, there is less need for people to have Word on their computer. Many of the features you need are available through free online software such as Gmail.
However, this does not mean that you should delete Word from your computer. There are a few reasons for this. The first is that some jobs require you to have a copy of Microsoft Office on your computer, so you may need to keep it for work. The second is that some files may be compatible only with Microsoft Office, which means you would need to have it to open the file.
But perhaps the most important reason is that Preview may not recognize the file or may only partially read it.
Damaged files can cause issues
While it’s not common, files can be damaged in such a way that Preview either does not recognize the file type or recognizes it but cannot open it.
If you find that you can’t open any of your files, then you should check if they are all the same file type and that they are not damaged.
If you only find that some files do not open, then you should check if they are all the same file type and that they are not corrupted.
If you find that none of your files open, then you should try downloading a different version of Preview to see if it recognizes any of your files. If it does not, then there may be something wrong with your files and you should try to fix them.
Try opening the file in a different program
If the problem is only with a specific file format, then trying to open the file in a different program may solve the issue. If the problem is with the file being damaged, then finding a repair program may help.
Many programs have trial versions that allow you to edit their files, but not save them, so you can check if the issue is with the file or the program.
If you are not able to find a solution, then contacting customer support may be helpful. They will be knowledgeable about how to fix your issue and possibly help you get your file back.
Overall, if you experience issues with files on your device, it may be due to issues with the app or device itself rather than being a fault in the file itself.
Convert the file to a different format
If the file is too damaged to open, try opening it in a different software program. If one of them can’t open the file, try another until you find one that can.
Many software programs offer the ability to open files from other software programs, so try searching for those if you do not have them.
This process can take some time, so be careful and do not overwrite any important files!
If you cannot find any software able to open the file, try downloading a free trial of Adobe Creative Cloud and attempt to open the file within their apps. This may take some time, but it is free and will hopefully solve the problem.
Ask the person who sent it to you if they have a copy
If the person who sent you the file doesn’t have a copy, it may be worth asking them if they still have the document they created and edited in the same software.
Some people use different software to create documents, but most can import and export different file formats. If they have a copy of their original document, you can ask if they can export it in a format that Preview can recognize.
If not, you may need to find someone who uses the same software to create documents and ask if they can export it in a format that Preview can recognize. You could also ask if they have any other software that recognizes this file format and try importing the document from that software to see if it works.
If neither of these work, then you will need to find another way to access the document.
Back up your files regularly
It’s best to back up your files on a regular basis, depending on how often you edit your document. The more you edit, the more often you should backup your file.
A few options for backup include: print copies, external hard drives, and the Cloud. A print copy may not be the most convenient, but it is a safe bet that it will last.
External hard drives are easy to use and cost effective but may fail over time. The Cloud is a safer option as it is hosted online so it will never physically go away.
Either way, having both external and cloud backups is the safest way to go.
Use online storage services
As an alternative to using the built-in Mac features, you can use third-party cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox. These offer a certain amount of free storage, and then you have to pay for more storage.
They also have Mac desktop apps that let you access your files directly from your computer, similar to the old Connected Devices feature.
Any files you upload through these apps will automatically sync to the cloud and be available on your computer via the app. This makes it easy to keep your files organized and safely stored in the cloud.
You can also use these apps as an alternative to Apple’s Files app. If you have trouble accessing a file that’s located in the Cloud section of the Files app, you can simply go to a different app to access it.
Use an external hard drive
If you have a lot of files that are taking up a lot of space on your computer, an easy way to transfer them off is to put them on an external hard drive.
These can be bought at any computer store or online and are very inexpensive. You can even find ones that are wireless so you do not have to connect it to your computer via cable.
Once you have transferred all of your files onto the hard drive, you can then delete some of the files on your computer to make room for new ones. Then, you can just re-upload those files onto the external hard drive and take it with you wherever you go.
If you ever need more space on your computer, just re-upload the files from the external hard drive back onto your computer and discard the extra ones.
Your computer may not be able to read the file format properly
If you try to open a PDF in Adobe Reader and it does not open or appears blank, then the issue may be with the software.
Sometimes, computers cannot update their software quickly enough to recognize newer file formats. Other times, the computer may not have the correct software to open the format.
For example, if you try to open a Word document in Google Docs, it may not be able to do so because Google Docs does not support that format.
Therefore, if you have trouble opening your PDF in your browser or other applications, then try using a different one to see if it can open it. If not, you may need to get new software that can recognize the format.
