If you want to have an option to choose the file format before opening a PDF, HTML, XML, or any other file in Word, here is how you can do that. It is possible to confirm file format conversion on open in Microsoft Word using this step-by-step guide. You can enable or disable this setting using the in-built option, Local Group Policy Editor, and Registry Editor.
How to confirm file format conversion on open in Word
To confirm file format conversion on open in Microsoft Word, you have the following options:
- Using Word Options
- Using Group Policy
- Using Registry Editor
To learn more about these steps, continue reading.
1] Using Word Options
It is the in-built setting that comes with Microsoft Word. Whether you want to enable or disable this option, you can take the help of Word Options. To turn the file format conversion panel on using Word Options, follow these steps:
- Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
- Click on the File menu.
- Click the Options.
- Switch to the Advanced tab.
- Head to the General section.
- Tick the Confirm file format conversion on open checkbox.
- Click the OK button.
After that, Word will display the panel whenever you try to open any file.
2] Using Group Policy
It is possible to enable or disable the same setting using Local Group Policy Editor. To use this utility to turn this option on or off, follow these steps:
- Press Win+R to display the Run prompt.
- Type gpedit.msc and click the OK button.
- Go to this path: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Word 2016 > Word Options > Advanced
- Double-click on the Confirm file format conversion on open setting on the right side.
- Choose the Enabled option.
- Click the OK button.
From now onwards, whenever you try to open any file in Word, it will ask you to choose the file format to convert the file.
Note: If you do not want to display the file conversion window, double-click on the same setting as above and choose the Not Configured option.
3] Using Registry Editor
If you do not want to install the Office template to enable this setting, this Registry Editor method is for you. It is possible to enable this option in Windows 11/10 with the help of Registry Editor. For that, do the following:
- Press Win+R to open the Run dialog.
- Type regedit > hit the Enter button > click the Yes option in the UAC prompt.
- Go to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftoffice16.0
- Right-click on 16.0 > New > Key and name it as word.
- Right-click on word > New > Key and set the name as options.
- Right-click on options > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name it as confirmfileconversion.
- Double-click on it to set the Value data as 1.
- Click the OK button.
- Restart your computer.
After that, Word will display the same file conversion popup panel.
However, if you want to hide this panel and revert to the original setting, you need to double-click on it and set the Value data as 0. Alternatively, you can delete this REG_DWORD value as well.
Read: How to enable or disable Background Saves in Word
How come when I open a Word document it says file conversion?
Word displays a message to choose the source file’s format when you enable the aforementioned option. It is called Confirm file format conversion on open. For your information, you can turn on or off this setting using the Word Options panel, Local Group Policy Editor, and Registry Editor.
When I try to open a document it says file conversion?
When you try to open a document, if it says file conversion, that means you need to disable the above-mentioned setting. For that, open the Word Options panel, and go to the Advanced section. Then, find the General section, and tick the Confirm file format conversion on open checkbox. Finally, click the OK button to save the change.