Microsoft Word Mac Issues

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Apr 16, 2018  Word for Mac document stops responding when you try to open a document. When you try to open a Microsoft Word for Mac document, Word for Mac stops responding. Additionally, you may have to use the Force Quit. If the problem still occurs, exit Microsoft Word, and then restore the com.microsoft.word.prefs.plist file to its.

Note

Office 365 ProPlus is being renamed to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise. For more information about this change, read this blog post.

This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to activate Office for Mac. If you're running into errors or issues with installing or activating Office on your Mac, see What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac instead. Before you begin activating, if you haven't already, you'll need to redeem and install Office on your PC or Mac. Word for Mac crashes and slow performance. Word does not respond when using 'Save as Picture' WordRake add-in causing Word for Mac to crash since upgrading to Catalina (OSX 15.0) Problems launching Word for Mac 2016 (Version 16.11) FIXED Issues affecting Word for Mac features and add-ins WORKAROUND Word document save as a PDF to an online. Microsoft AutoUpdate makes sure your copy of Office will always be up-to-date with the latest security fixes and improvements. If you are an Office 365 subscriber, you'll also receive the newest features and tools. Check for updates and install. Open an Office app such as Word, then on the top menu, click Help Check for Updates. Mar 19, 2020  Microsoft Word for Mac issues hi, I was copying and pasting some excel spreadsheets into word, everything was working fine until something happened. There is a small line like an underscore( ) on the bottom of my word file that I want to create and I cannot add header, footer or when I want to add a excel chart it does not show it anymore.

Symptoms

When you start Microsoft Word for Mac, or when you try to open a new document, you experience one of the following conditions:

  • The program closes unexpectedly.

  • Error message:

Note

This error message may also occur during usage of application such as saving a document.

Resolution

To resolve this problem, follow steps below.

Microsoft Word for Mac 2008 or Later

Step 1: Quit all applications

  1. On the Apple menu, click Force Quit.

  2. Select an application in the 'Force Quit Applications' window.

  3. Click Force Quit.

  4. Repeat the previous steps until all active applications.

Warning

When an application is force quit, any unsaved changes to open documents are not saved.

Step 2: Remove Preferences

  1. Quit all Microsoft Office for Mac programs.

  2. On the Go menu, click Home.

  3. Open Library.

    Note

    The Library folder is hidden in MAC OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.

  4. Open the Preferences folder.

  5. Look for a file that is named com.microsoft.Word.plist.

  6. If you locate the file, move it to the desktop. If you do not locate the file, the program is using the default preferences.

  7. If you locate the file and move it to the desktop, start Word, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem still occurs, quit Microsoft Word, and restore the file to its original location. Then, go to the next step. If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the com.microsoft.Word.plist file to the trash.

  8. Quit all Microsoft Office for Mac programs.

  9. On the Go menu, click Home.

  10. Open Library.

    Note

    The Library folder is hidden in MAC OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.

  11. Open the Preferences folder.

  12. Open the Microsoft folder.

  13. Locate the file that is named com.microsoft.Word.prefs.plist.

  14. Move the file to the desktop.

  15. Start Word, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem still occurs, quit Word, and restore the file to its original location. Then, go to the next step. If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the com.microsoft.Word.prefs.plist file to the trash.

  16. On the Go menu, click Home.

  17. Open Library.

    Note

    The Library folder is hidden in MAC OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.

  18. Open the Application Support folder.

  19. Open the Microsoft folder.

  20. Open the Office folder.

  21. Open the User Templates folder.

  22. Locate the file that is named Normal, and move the file to the desktop.

  23. Start Word and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the Normal file to the Trash. If the issue continues to occur, proceed to the next step.

If the issue continues to occur, go to the next step.

Step 3: Peform clean boot

For information how to clean start your Operating system (OS), see Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

2398596 How to use a 'clean startup' to determine whether background programs are interfering with Office for Mac

If the issue continues to occur in Safe mode, go to the next step.

Step 4: Remove and then reinstall Office

For information how to remove and then reinstall Office, see the following article:

If after removing and then reinstalling Office, the problem continues to occur, go to the next step.

Step 5: Use the 'Repair Disk Permissions' option

You can use the Repair Disk Permissions option to troubleshoot permissions problems in Mac OS X 10.2 or later versions. To use the Repair Disk Permissions option, follow these steps:

  1. On the Go menu, click Utilities.
  2. Start the Disk Utility program.
  3. Click the primary hard disk drive for your computer.
  4. Click the First Aid tab.
  5. Click Repair Disk Permissions.

Note

The Disk Utility program only repairs software that is installed by Apple. This utility also repairs folders, such as the Applications folder. However, this utility does not repair software that is in your home folder.

Microsoft Word 2004 for Mac

  1. Quit all Microsoft Office for Mac programs.

  2. On the Go menu, click Home.

  3. Open Library.

    Note

    The Library folder is hidden in MAC OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.

  4. Open the Preferences folder.

  5. Look for a file that is named com.microsoft.Word.plist.

  6. If you locate the file, move it to the desktop. If you do not locate the file, the program is using the default preferences.

  7. If you locate the file and move it to the desktop, start Word, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem still occurs, quit Word, and restore the file to its original location. Then, go to the next step. If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the com.microsoft.Word.plist file to the trash.

  8. Qit all Microsoft Office for Mac programs.

  9. On the Go menu, click Home.

  10. Open Library.

    Note

    The Library folder is hidden in MAC OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu.

  11. Open the Preferences folder.

  12. Open the Microsoft folder.

  13. Look for a file that is named com.microsoft.Word.prefs.plist.

  14. Move the file to the desktop.

  15. Start Word, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem still occurs, quit Word, and restore the file to its original location. Then, go to the next step. If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the com.microsoft.Word.prefs.plist file to the trash.

  16. On the Go menu, click Home.

  17. Open the Documents folder.

  18. Open the Microsoft User Data folder.

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  19. Locate the file that is named Normal, and move the file to the desktop.

  20. Start Word, and check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the Normal file to the trash.

Third-party disclaimer information

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.

The information and the solution in this document represent the current view of Microsoft Corporation on these issues as of the date of publication. This solution is available through Microsoft or through a third-party provider. Microsoft does not specifically recommend any third-party provider or third-party solution that this article might describe. There might also be other third-party providers or third-party solutions that this article does not describe. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, this information should not be interpreted to be a commitment by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot guarantee or endorse the accuracy of any information or of any solution that is presented by Microsoft or by any mentioned third-party provider.

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Note

Office 365 ProPlus is being renamed to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise. For more information about this change, read this blog post.

Note

If you experience specific issues when you use Word, visit the Word help center to search for information about your issue.

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Summary

This article describes how to troubleshoot problems that may occur when you start or use Microsoft Word. Use the following methods in the order in which they are presented. If you try one of these methods and it does not help, go to the next method.

Resolution

Verify or install the latest updates

You might have to set Windows Update to automatically download and install recommended updates. Installing any important, recommended, and optional updates can frequently correct problems by replacing out-of-date files and fixing vulnerabilities. To install the latest Microsoft Office updates, see Update Office and your computer with Microsoft Update.

For list of the latest Office updates, see Office Updates. If your issue is not resolved after you install the latest Windows and Office updates, go to method 2.

It's a good idea to make sure that your computer has the latest updates installed for Windows. Updates often fix software problems. Before you use any of the following methods, try first to install updates. After you install the updates, restart your computer, and then start Word.

Troubleshoot problems that occur when you start Word

Important

Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Before you modify it, back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur.

Method 1: Insert your document into another file

The final paragraph mark in a Word document contains information about the document. If the document is damaged, you may be able to retrieve the text of the document if you can omit this final paragraph mark.

To access a document but leave its final paragraph mark behind, follow these steps:

  1. On the File menu, click New and then click Blank Document.
  2. On the Insert tab, click Object in the Text group, and then click Text from File.
  3. Select the file that you want to open and insert, and then click Insert.

Method 2: Start Word by using the /a switch

The /a switch is a troubleshooting tool that is used to determine where a problem may exist in Word. The /a switch prevents add-ins and global templates from being loaded automatically. The /a switch also locks the settings files to prevent it from being read or modified. To start Word by using the /a switch, follow these steps:

  1. Type Run in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.
  2. In the **Run **dialog box, type winword /a, and then press Enter.

For more information about the /a switch, go to the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

826857 Description of the '/a' startup switch in Word

If the problem does not occur when you start Word by using the /a switch, try the next method to determine the source of the problem.

Method 3: Delete the Word Data registry subkey

Microsoft Word Mac Bug

Most of the frequently used options in Word are stored in the Word Data registry subkey. A common troubleshooting step is to delete the Word Data registry subkey. When you restart Word, the program rebuilds the Word Data registry key by using the default settings.

Note When you delete the Word Data registry subkey, Word resets several options to their default settings. For example, Word resets the 'most recently used file' list on the File menu. Also, Word resets many settings that you customize in the Options dialog box.

Important

Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Before you modify it, back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur.

To delete the Word Data registry subkey, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Office programs.

  2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.

  3. Locate the following registry subkey, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are using:

    Word 2016HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice16.0WordData

    Word 2013HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice15.0WordData

    Word 2010HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice14.0WordData

    Word 2007HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice12.0WordData

    Word 2003HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice11.0WordData

  4. Click Data, and then click Export on the File menu.

  5. Name the file Wddata.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.

  6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.

  7. Exit Registry Editor.

  8. Start Word.

If Word starts and works correctly, you have resolved the problem (a damaged Word Data registry key). You may now have to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Word.

If the problem is not resolved, restore the original Word Data registry subkey, and then try the next method.

Restore the original Word Data registry key

To restore the original Word Data registry subkey, follow these steps:

Microsoft Word Mac Issues
  1. Exit all Office programs.
  2. Double-click the Wddata.reg icon on the desktop.
  3. Click Yes, and then click OK.
    If restoring the Word Data registry subkey doesn't work, go to the next procedure.
Issues

Method 4: Delete the Word Options registry key

The Word Options registry key stores options that you can set in Word. These settings are divided into default and optional groups. Default settings are created during the program setup. Optional settings are not created during setup. You can change both the default and optional settings in Word.

To delete the Word Options registry key, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Office programs.

  2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.

  3. Locate the following registry subkey, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running:

    Word 2016HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice16.0WordOptions

    Word 2013HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice15.0WordOptions

    Word 2010HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice14.0WordOptions

    Word 2007HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice12.0WordOptions

    Word 2003HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice11.0WordOptions

  4. Click Options, and then click Export on the File menu.

  5. Name the file Wddata.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.

  6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.

  7. Exit Registry Editor.

  8. Start Word.

If Word starts and works correctly, you have resolved the problem (a damaged Word Options registry key). You may now have to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Word.

If the problem is not resolved, restore the original Word Options registry key, and then try the next method.

To restore the original Word Options registry key

To restore the original Word Options registry key, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Office programs.
  2. Double-click the Wdoptn.reg icon on the desktop.
  3. Click Yes, and then click OK.

Method 5: Replace the Normal.dot or Normal.dotm global template file

You can prevent formatting, AutoText, and macros that are stored in the global template file from affecting the behavior of Word and any documents that you open. To do this, replace the global template file.

Important

This method includes renaming the global template file so that Word does not find it as expected when it restarts. This forces Word to re-create the global template file. By doing this, you save the original file in case you have to restore it. Be aware that when you rename the global template file, several settings are reset to their defaults, including custom styles, custom toolbars, macros, and AutoText entries. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you save the global template file and do not delete it.

Additional note In certain situations, you may have more than one global template file. For example, this occurs if multiple versions of Word are running on the same computer, or if several workstation installations exist on the same computer. In these situations, make sure that you rename each global template file so that it clearly reflects the appropriate Word installation.

To rename the global template file, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Office programs.

  2. Type cmd in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.

  3. At the command prompt, type the following command, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running, and then press Enter:

    Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010, or Word 2007

    Word 2003

  4. At the command prompt, type exit, and then press Enter.

  5. Start Word.

If Word starts correctly, you have resolved the problem. In this case, the problem is a damaged global template file. Now, you may have to change several settings to restore your favorite options.

Note

The old global template file may contain customizations that can't be easily re-created. These customizations may include styles, macros, and AutoText entries. In this case, you may be able to copy the customizations from the old global template file to the new global template file by using the Organizer. For more information about how to use the Organizer to copy macros and styles, press F1 in Word to open Microsoft Word Help, type rename macros in the Search box, and then click Search to view the topic.

If the problem is not resolved, restore the original global template file, and then go to the next section.

Restore the original global template file

To restore the original global template file, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Office programs.

  2. Type cmd in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.

  3. At the command prompt, type the following command, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running, and then press Enter:

    Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010 and Word 2007

    Word 2003

  4. Type exit, and then press Enter.

  5. Start Word.

Method 6: Disable the Startup folder add-ins

Microsoft Word Mac Issues 2016

When you start Word, Word automatically loads templates and add-ins that are located in the Startup folders. Conflicts or problems that affect an add-in can cause problems in Word. To determine whether an item in a Startup folder is causing the problem, temporarily disable the registry setting that points to these add-ins.

To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Office programs.

  2. Start Windows Explorer. Type windows ex in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.

  3. Type the following command in the address bar, as appropriate for the version of Word that you're running and its installation type, and then press Enter: Word 2016

    64-bit C2R installation:%programfiles%Microsoft Officerootoffice16Startup

    32-bit C2R installation:%programfiles% (x86)Microsoft Officerootoffice16Startup

    64-bit MSI installation:%programfiles%Microsoft Officeoffice16Startup

    32-bit MSI installation:%programfiles% (x86)Microsoft Officeoffice16Startup

    Word 2013

    64-bit C2R installation:%programfiles%Microsoft Officerootoffice15Startup

    32-bit C2R installation:%programfiles% (x86)Microsoft Officerootoffice15Startup

    64-bit MSI installation:%programfiles%Microsoft Officeoffice15Startup

    32-bit MSI installation:%programfiles% (x86)Microsoft Officeoffice15Startup

    Word 2010

    %programfiles%Microsoft OfficeOffice14Startup

    Word 2007

    %programfiles%Microsoft OfficeOffice12Startup

    Word 2003

    %programfiles%MicrosoftOfficeOffice11Startup

  4. Right-click one of the files that is contained in the folder, and then click Rename.

  5. After the file name, type .old, and then press Enter.

    Important

    Make a note of the original file name so that you can restore the file, if it is necessary.

  6. Start Word.

  7. If you can no longer reproduce the problem, you have found the specific add-in that causes the problem. If you must have the features that the add-in provides, contact the vendor of the add-in for an update.

    If the problem is not resolved, rename the add-in by using its original name, and then repeat steps 3 through 6 for each file in the Startup folder.

  8. If you can still reproduce the problem, type the following path in the address bar of Windows Explorer, and then click OK. For Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista

    %userprofile%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWordStartup

    For Windows XP

    %userprofile%Application DataMicrosoftWordStartup

  9. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for each file in this Startup folder.

If the problem is not resolved after you disable the Startup folder add-ins, go to the next method.

Method 7: Delete the COM add-ins registry keys

You can install COM add-ins in any location. Programs that interact with Word install COM add-ins. To determine whether a COM add-in is causing the problem, temporarily disable the COM add-ins by deleting the registry keys for the COM add-ins.

To delete the COM add-ins registry keys, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Office programs.
  2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.
  3. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOfficeWordAddins
  4. Click Addins, and then click Export on the File menu.
  5. Name the file WdaddinHKCU.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.
  6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
  7. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftOfficeWordAddins
  8. Click Addins, and then on the File menu, click Export.
  9. Name the file WdaddinHKLM.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.
  10. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
  11. Exit Registry Editor.
  12. Start Word.
    If the problem is resolved, you have determined that a COM add-in program is causing the problem. Next, you must determine which COM add-in program is causing the problem.
Determine which COM add-in program is causing the problem

To determine which COM add-in program is causing the problem, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Office programs.

  2. Double-click the Wdaddin.reg icon on your desktop.

  3. Click Yes, and then click OK.

  4. Use one of the following procedures, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running:

    Word 2016, Word 2013, or Word 2010

    1. On the File menu, click Options.
    2. Click Add-Ins.
    3. In the Manage list, click COM Add-Ins, and then click Go.

    Note If an add-in is listed in the COM Add-Ins dialog box, clear the add-in check box. If more than one add-in is listed, clear only one add-in check box at a time. This procedure helps determine which add-in is causing the problem.
    4. Click OK to close the COM Add-Ins dialog box.
    5. On the File menu, click Exit.

    Word 2007

    1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Word options.

    2. Click Add-ins.

    3. In the Manage list, click COM Add-ins, and then click Go.

      If an add-in is listed in the COM Add-Ins dialog box, click to clear the add-in check box. If more than one add-in is listed, click to clear only one add-in check box at a time. This procedure helps determine which add-in is causing the problem.

    4. Click OK to close the COM Add-Ins dialog box.

    5. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Exit Word.

    6. On the File menu, click Exit.

  5. Start Word.
    If the problem is resolved when you start Word, you have determined which COM add-in is causing the problem. If you must have the features that the add-in provides, you must determine which add-in includes those features so that you can contact the vendor for an update.

If the problem is not resolved when you start Word, repeat steps 4 and 5 for each COM add-in that's listed until you determine which add-in is causing the problem.

Install Microsoft Word On Mac

To restore the COM add-ins, repeat step 4, but select the check box for each COM add-in that you want to restore.

Method 8: Change the default printer

To change the default printer, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Office programs.
  2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.
  3. Right-click Microsoft XPS Document Writer, and then click Set as default printer.
  4. Start Word.
    If the problem is resolved after you start Word, you have determined that the printer is causing the problem. If this is the case, contact the vendor to see whether there is an update for the printer driver.

Microsoft Support options

If you can't resolve this problem, you can use Microsoft Support to search the Microsoft Knowledge Base and other technical resources for answers. You can also customize the site to control your search. To start your search, go to the Microsoft Support website.

Additional resources

Microsoft Word For Mac Issues

If you experience specific issues when you use Word, go to the following websites to search for specific information about your program version: