Can't close Help Window

[larykirk]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

Like others in previous but closed threads, I cannot close the Help window, or move it, without closing Excel completely ... and hoping that I don't accidentally hit the Help key or somehow invoke the Help window.

In older posts, it was said to delete Component Preferences in User>Library>Preferences>Microsoft but I have no such file. There is "com.microsoft.Office.prefs.plist" file but I don't know if that's it.

Can anyone help solve this very annoying problem?

 

[CyberTaz]

You'll need to supply some additional details & specifics - there are
several possibilities & the solutions could vary from insufficient to
overkill without knowing the exact circumstances.

First, your exact update levels of both OS X & Office. Are you using the OS
X feature called Spaces? If so, does the problem persist with Spaces off?

Additionally, specifically why can't you close the Help window... The
buttons at the left of the title bar aren't there? They're visible but don't
work? Can you use the resizing control at the lower right corner? Is the
problem only with Excel Help or are other Office apps affected as well?

Does this occur if you launch Excel while holding Shift? What if you run
Excel from a different User Account?

Please provide a description as complete and accurate as possible.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[larykirk]

Bob,

Thanks for your help. I'm using MS Excel 2004 for Mac, Version 11.5.1 (080729) with Mac OS 10.5.7. I am using Spaces when it's turned off the problem persists.

I cannot see the buttons on the left of the title bar so I can't close it. And, no, this does not occur with other Office apps. I tried opening Excel with the Shift key but the problem persists.

I hope this helps. It's certainly annoying, to say the least.

Thanks again,

Lary

 

[CyberTaz]

OK, thanks for the additional info. I believe that reveals where the problem
may be. Office 2004 has been updated to 11.5.5 so you're several updates
behind. I'd suggest taking care of that before anything else.

Log in with the Shift key held down, run Help> Check for Updates from within
any of the Office apps, then repair disk permissions & restart.

I can't be 100% certain but that alone may be all that's necessary to
correct the matter. Keeping the older Office 2004 updated in Leopard is a
necessity, not an option

Reply to the thread if that doesn't dispatch the Demon Help Window.

Good Luck |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac