If it is happening across several applications then it's likely you
have an add-in causing the problem. Did you install any
software/hardware a week or so ago? Several third party manufacturers
will also install add-ins (*.dot, *.ppa, *.xla, or COM Add-ins) to
integrate their software with the Office applications.
Since you're in a Word newsgroups, troubleshoot the issue for Word and
it should help you find the problem with the other apps as well.
To determine if you are using any global templates (*.dot) go to
Tools/Templates and Add-Ins and see if there are any global templates
or add-ins listed. If so they are located in one of your Startup
folders. The location of the Word\Startup folder can be found under
Tools/Options/File Locations and the Office\Startup folder can be
found in the Office installation path.
You can also use Windows Search to find the files. If you are using
Windows XP then in make sure you are viewing all files and searching
all files:
- Viewing all files: Start Windows Search and go to Tools/Folder
Options and on the View tab make sure "Show hidden files and folders"
is selected
- Search all files: In Windows Search click "All files and Folders"
then expand "More Advanced Options". Make sure "Search hidden files
and folders" is selected.
Take a look in each folder and if you find more than one file move
them one at a time and try duplicating the error after each file is
moved out of the folder until you determine which one is causing the
problem.
As of Word 2000, Word can have COM add-ins. COM are added via the
Registry rather than the Startup folders. To determine whether or not
you are using COM Add-In you can add the "COM Add-in" command to your
toolbar:
- Right-click any toolbar and select Customize
- On the Commands tab, select the Tools category
- Locate COM Add-Ins on the right
- Drag/Drop to a location of your choice
Close the dialog and run the COM Add-ins command. If an add-in is
loaded you'll see a tick in the check box. Remove the tick to unload
the add-in.
For more information on COM Add-Ins, see this article:
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/Customization/CheckIfAddinsInstalled.htm
Also, the COM Add-in utility in Word will only display COM Add-ins
that are installed per user, rather than per machine. If you followed
the above steps and still encounter the issue then take a look at this
article and start with Method 2:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;555220
Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP
Word FAQ:
http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine:
http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site:
http://mvps.org/