How to Insert a Video in Microsoft Word (Fix Compatibility Mode Issue)

How to Insert a Video in Microsoft Word (With Compatibility Mode Fix)

If you're trying to embed a YouTube video in Microsoft Word but see "Compatibility Mode" in the title bar, don’t worry — you’re not alone. This step-by-step guide will help you disable Compatibility Mode and insert videos correctly in Word 2016, 2019, or Microsoft 365.

Part 1: Disable Compatibility Mode in Word

To enable modern features like embedding online videos, your document must be in the latest Word format (.docx). Here’s how to convert and remove compatibility mode:

1. Open your document and click on the File tab.

2. Click on Info in the left-hand menu.

3. Select Convert next to Compatibility Mode.

4. Click OK when prompted to confirm the conversion.
5. Your document will now be saved in the latest format, and the Compatibility Mode label will be gone.

Note: If you don’t convert the document, video embedding features may be grayed out or unavailable.

Part 2: How to Embed a YouTube Video in Word

Now that Compatibility Mode is disabled, you can add videos from YouTube or other supported sources. Follow these steps:

1. Copy the link to the YouTube video you want to insert.

2. In your Word document, go to the Insert tab.

3. Click on Online Video.

4. Paste the URL of the video in the dialog box that appears.

5. Click Insert, and your video will appear inside the Word document.

6. Resize or move the video as needed. You’re done!

FAQs: Inserting Videos into Word

• Can I embed videos from websites other than YouTube? – Yes, Word supports several sources like Vimeo and Stream, depending on your version.
• Why is the Insert > Online Video option missing? – Likely due to Compatibility Mode or unsupported document type (.doc instead of .docx).
• Will the video play inside Word? – Yes, as long as you're connected to the internet, the video will play directly inside your document.

Now you know how to insert a video in Word and how to disable Compatibility Mode to unlock all features. This method is great for creating interactive reports, presentations, or training documents. Want more helpful tutorials? Visit The Engineer Post.