How to Stop Spinning Wheel on Mac Without Losing Word Work

So, your Mac’s spinning wheel won’t stop and you’re panicking because you haven’t saved your Word document? Don’t worry, there is a way to stop the spinning wheel without losing any of your hard work. In just a few steps, you can get back to typing away.

Step by Step Tutorial to Stop Spinning Wheel on Mac Without Losing Work on Word

When that dreaded spinning wheel appears, it means your Mac is thinking really hard. But sometimes, it just gets stuck. Follow these steps to stop the spinning wheel and save your Word document.

Step 1: Use the Force Quit Function

Press Command + Option + Escape to open the Force Quit window.

Force Quit is like a magic wand for your Mac. It can make the spinning wheel disappear by closing the app that’s causing the trouble. But don’t worry, it won’t close your Word document if you do it right.

Step 2: Save your work

Before you force quit, try to save your Word document by pressing Command + S.

Hopefully, Word will respond to this command and your work will be safe. If it doesn’t, don’t panic. There’s still hope.

Step 3: Force Quit Word

Select Word from the list of open applications and click on the Force Quit button.

This step might feel scary, but it’s necessary. Word will close, but if you’ve saved recently or have AutoRecover enabled, your work should still be there when you open it again.

Step 4: Restart Word

Open Word again and check for your document in the Recent section or through AutoRecover.

This is the moment of truth. If all has gone well, your document should be there with little to no work lost.

After completing these steps, your Mac should be free of the spinning wheel and your Word document should be safe and sound.

Tips to Prevent Spinning Wheel on Mac

• Always save your work frequently to avoid losing it in case of a crash.
• Keep your Mac updated to ensure you have the latest fixes for any bugs that might cause the spinning wheel.
• Close any applications you’re not using to free up memory and prevent the spinning wheel.
• If your Mac is running slow, consider restarting it to give it a fresh start.
• Enable AutoRecover in Word to automatically save your work at regular intervals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the spinning wheel on Mac?

The spinning wheel is a sign that your Mac is processing something, but if it doesn’t stop, it means the application is not responding.

Can I still save my work if Word is not responding?

Yes, you can try to save your work by pressing Command + S before force quitting Word.

Will force quitting Word cause me to lose my work?

Not necessarily, if you have saved recently or have AutoRecover enabled, your work should be recoverable.

How do I enable AutoRecover in Word?

Go to Word Preferences, click on Save, and make sure the "Save AutoRecover info" box is checked.

What should I do if my document is not in the Recent section after restarting Word?

Check the AutoRecover folder or search for Word Backup files on your Mac.

Summary

1. Use the Force Quit function by pressing Command + Option + Escape.
2. Try to save your Word document by pressing Command + S.
3. Force quit Word by selecting it from the list and clicking on Force Quit.
4. Restart Word and check for your document in the Recent section or through AutoRecover.

Conclusion

The spinning wheel on Mac is a common frustration that many of us have encountered. It can be especially nerve-wracking when you’re in the middle of important work on Word. But remember, there’s no need to panic. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can stop the spinning wheel without losing your work. Just breathe, stay calm, and use the Force Quit function wisely. Save your work regularly, keep your Mac updated, and enable AutoRecover in Word to protect your documents. With these tips and tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be well-equipped to handle the spinning wheel on Mac without losing work on Word.