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Here are a few ways to find and open Office applications from the Start screen and taskbar in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 7.

Got a Mac? If you're looking for how to dock the Office for Mac applications, please see Add the Office for Mac app icon to the dock.

Notes:

  • In Windows 10, if you have more than 512 apps in your All apps, you may not see your app shortcuts in that list, on the Start menu, or when you search.

  • This issue has been fixed in the Windows 10 November update, which will automatically download and install when it's available. If you don't have the update yet, refer to this FAQ for a manual method to check for the update.

  • If you're not able to install the Windows 10 November update, or while you're waiting to install the update, you can use this workaround to find the apps: Office apps are missing from All apps on Windows 10.

Watch the video or follow the steps below the video to learn how to find your Office applications in Windows 10.

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  • Choose Start, and start typing the name of the application, like Word or Excel. Search opens automatically as you type. In the search results, click the application to start it.

    Screenshot of searching for an app in Windows 10 search

  • For Microsoft 365, Office 2021, Office 2019, or Office 2016, choose Start and scroll to the Office application name, like Excel.

    For Office 2013, choose Start and scroll to the Microsoft Office 2013 group.

Tip:To open Office applications faster, pin them to your Start screen or the taskbar on your desktop. Right-click each application's name and choose either Pin to Start or Pin to Taskbar.

Screenshot showing how to pin an app to start menu

If you still can't find your Office shortcuts, do an Office Online Repair. See Repair an Office application.

Watch the video or follow the steps below the video to learn how to find your Office applications in Windows 8.

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  • On the Start screen, start typing the name of the application, like Word or Excel. Search opens automatically as you type. In the search results, click the application to start it.

    Important:You won't find Office applications by searching for "Office", so search for each application by name.

    Type the application name in the Search box

  • Swipe up or choose the arrow at the bottom of the Start screen to see a list of all your applications.

    Click the arrow at the left bottom of the screen

    You might need to scroll left or right to see the Microsoft Office group.

    Find the Office application by name

Tips:

  • To open Office applications faster, pin them to your Start screen or the taskbar on your desktop. Right-click each application's name and choose either Pin to Start or Pin to Taskbar.

  • Or you can use this Pin Microsoft Office programs to the taskbar troubleshooter to quickly pin the applications to the taskbar. Just click the troubleshooter link, click Open, and follow the steps in the troubleshooter.

Pin to Start

If you are still unable to locate your Office shortcuts, perform an Office Online Repair as shown in Repair an Office application.

  • Choose Start, type the name of the application, like Word or Excel, in the Search programs and files box. In the search results, click the application to start it.

    Search for Office apps in Windows 7

  • Choose Start > All Programs to see a list of all your applications.

    Search for Office apps using All Programs in Windows 7

    You might need to scroll down to see the Microsoft Office group.

    Office 2013 group under All Programs in Windows 7

Tip:To open Office applications faster, pin them to your Start menu or the taskbar on your desktop. Right-click each application's name and choose either Pin to Start Menu or Pin to Taskbar.

Pin Office app to Start menu or taskbar in Windows 7

If you are still unable to locate your Office shortcuts, perform an Office Online Repair as shown in Repair an Office application.

Need more help?