Using Microsoft Word for assessments - Student Guide

Microsoft Word is a word processing tool for creating documents, and is available to all University of Leeds students. A desktop version is available on cluster computers on campus, from Azure Virtual Desktop, and is available to download (Downloading Microsoft 365 Apps on the IT Website).

However you can also easily access Word Online from a browser on your own device.

Opening Word Online

Open a browser and open Word Online (https://word.cloud.microsoft). You may already be logged in with your University of Leeds account, but if not, log in with your username and password.

Please Note: If you also have a personal Microsoft account you will need to check which account you are logged into when using Microsoft Office apps online. You may find it easier to log out of one account completely, or use your personal account on one browser, and your University of Leeds account on another.

Using Word Online

There is lots of guidance on using Microsoft Word Online on the Microsoft support site. You can learn how to Create a document in Word or search the Microsoft Word help site for specific help with what you might need.

Converting to PDF

You may be asked to produce a PDF version of your work for submission to Turnitin or other assessment systems.  It is recommended that you do this from Word Online by following this Microsoft guide on exporting a Word document as PDF.

Important: Do not use "Print to PDF" options as these are not compatible with Turnitin. 

Technical Support using Microsoft Word

If you're unable to access Microsoft Word then please log a ticket to IT Services. Visit the IT Services Website, then log in and use the Something's broken? form.

Page last checked: February 2026

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