Sending Word documents from LawVu to Word on the web for editing is a simple process. After making edits, the document is automatically updated and returned to LawVu, while retaining access to the file's previous versions.
Who can use this feature?
👤 All roles
🔑 Requires that the user making edits has the necessary file access
In this article:
Requirements for Using Edit with Word on the Web
Let's make sure you're ready to use 'Edit with Word on the web.' Please review the requirements below to ensure a smooth start.
The file must be in .DOCX format.
Note: a '.DOC' file is an older version of a Word file and will not work.
You will need an Office 365 account to use the Word on the web feature.
If the file is synced to SharePoint, the “Edit in SharePoint” action replaces the standard online editing options. For SharePoint files, “Edit with Word/Excel Online” is intentionally unavailable.
If you do not have a Microsoft 365 license, the document may still open, but only in read-only mode.
Starting your edit
To get started, select a Word document in the files section of a matter or contract, then click on the ellipsis menu and choose Edit with Word on the web.
You can also choose to edit from the file preview window by clicking on the ellipsis menu and selecting 'Edit with Word on the web'.
A new browser tab will open, and the document will begin loading in Word on the web. This may take a few moments.
Once the document is open, begin making edits, and you'll see the document being saved periodically. Once done, ensure you see the Saved to LawVu indicator. Then you can close the browser tab.
When you return to LawVu, you will see both new (current) and previous versions of the file.
How versioning works
LawVu automatically keeps version history when you edit a document with Word on the web.
To avoid creating a large number of minor versions, edits made within 10 minutes of the initial change are grouped into the same latest version.
If more than 10 minutes passes between edits, the later change is saved as a new separate version. This keeps version history cleaner while still preserving meaningful document milestones.
Collaborating on the same document
Word on the web supports collaborative editing. If more than one person opens the same document at the same time, they can work together in the same file during a live editing session.
Multiple users can edit simultaneously
Changes save automatically as work progresses
The updated file is returned to LawVu with version history preserved
Collaborative editing is especially useful for quick internal reviews, redrafting sessions, and matter-related document updates where several contributors need to work at once.
If your file is synced to SharePoint
If your organization uses the SharePoint integration and the file is synced to SharePoint, you may not see the Edit with Word on the web option in LawVu.
When a file is synced to SharePoint, Edit with Word on the web is intentionally replaced by Edit in SharePoint. This is expected behavior.
In this case, open the file using Edit in SharePoint and make your changes there.
Working with Encrypted and Older Word Files
Edit with Word on the web functionality will not work on documents that are password-protected or files that use the .DOC format. An error like the given example below will be displayed:
For password-encrypted files, you can choose to:
Download the file and edit it using your desktop version of Microsoft Word.
Remove the file encryption, re-upload it in LawVu, and edit with Word on the web.
You can also re-save the file with the older format to the latest Word version (.DOCX file type), re-upload it to LawVu, then edit it with Word on the web.
Troubleshooting
Issue | What to check | Suggested action | Likely cause |
The option is greyed out in Microsoft Word | Check the document title bar for Compatibility Mode | Go to File > Save As and save the file as .DOCX | The file is in an older Word format such as .DOC |
The option does not appear in LawVu | Confirm whether the file is synced to SharePoint | Use Edit in SharePoint instead | The file is being managed through SharePoint sync |
The document opens but cannot be edited | Confirm the user has a Microsoft 365 license and sufficient file access | Sign in with the correct Microsoft account or request the necessary access | The user is in read-only mode or lacks permission to edit |
The document fails to load or save properly | Check whether a firewall, VPN, or web proxy is blocking access | Ask your IT team to review network restrictions affecting Microsoft web apps or LawVu file storage access | Security tools or network controls are interfering with the connection |
The file is locked and a new version cannot be synced | Check whether the file is open for editing in Word on the web | Close the document in Word on the web, wait for the lock to clear, and then try uploading or syncing the new version again | The file is locked in SharePoint while it is open for editing, so LawVu cannot update it |
The file is password-protected | Try opening it in desktop Word first | Remove the password protection, then re-upload and try again | Encrypted files are not supported by Word on the web editing in LawVu |
If you navigate to File > Save As, you can save the document in the .DOCX format, and the add-in will activate.
Related features
Edit in Word (desktop): Open and edit the document directly in the desktop Microsoft Word application.
Microsoft Word add-in: Work with LawVu documents from within Word using the add-in workflow where available.
Edit in SharePoint: Use this option when your file is synced to SharePoint.
If Edit with Word on the web is not the right fit for your workflow, one of the options above may be more suitable depending on how your organisation manages documents.