using bullets causes word to crash

[George_B]

Suddenly, after years of using Word without problems, Word crashes as soon as I go to use bullets & numbering. In other words:
I type: 1. + text etc. then click return to get to a new line and 2. = instant crash.
I actually just re-loaded the entire Office 04 software on my Mac Intel but the problem persists.
Anybody know what that's all about?
many thanks in advance
George B

 

[John McGhie]

Hi George:

In Word, Bullets and Numbering are the same thing.

In the old .doc format, the numbering list templates can corrupt
(particularly if you have been playing around with the numbering or bullets
formats).

The cure is to de-corrupt the document.

The first thing I would do is quit Word and re-name your Normal template.
Word will create a new one with good numbering/bullets when it re-starts.
You can then use the Organizer to copy back any customisations from the old
template.

After that, you need to de-corrupt each document that has been created off
the old template.

1) Carefully copy everything except the very last paragraph mark.

2) Create a new, blank document.

3) Paste, and save under a new file name.

Do that to each old document that you want to edit.

Hope this helps

Suddenly, after years of using Word without problems, Word crashes as soon as
I go to use bullets & numbering. In other words:
I type: 1. + text etc. then click return to get to a new line and 2. = instant
crash.
I actually just re-loaded the entire Office 04 software on my Mac Intel but
the problem persists.
Anybody know what that's all about?
many thanks in advance
George B

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[kathydavie]

I'm having the same problem. I select text, click on the bullets icon to apply bullets and Word shuts down. I tried applying the above fix---renaming the doc template and pasting in a copy of the document except for the last paragraph mark. All it did was shut down again.

 

[Beth Rosengard]

Hi Kathy,

Please always state your OS and Office version numbers! I¹m going to assume
you¹re in Office 2008. If not, some of this won¹t apply.

This could be damaged preferences or a corrupt Normal template. For the
first, see here: <http://word.mvps.org/Mac/DamagedPrefs.html>.

For the second, see here: <http://word.mvps.org/mac/MacWordNormal.html>.

If the crashing occurs on launch or quit (it doesn't sound like it, though),
see here: <http://word.mvps.org/mac/Word2008Issues.html>.

--
***Please always reply to the newsgroup!***

Beth Rosengard
Mac MVP

Mac Word FAQ: <http://word.mvps.org/Mac/WordMacHome.html>
My Site: <http://www.bethrosengard.com>

 

[John McGhie]

Hi Kathy:

That is definitely a "Corrupt list template".

The list template in question is stored in each document, and in either your
Normal.dotm template or your com.microsoft.Word.prefs.plist Preference.

You have re-named the document template. However, you also need to re-name
all the copies of "Normal" template you have from earlier versions of Word.
Otherwise Word sucks in inappropriate settings from the older version of the
template when it re-creates the new Normal.dotm.

So first re-name Normal.dotm, then hide any other files named "Normal" on
your system. That should fix it, for NEW documents.

For old documents, you will then need to do the "All but last paragraph
mark" trick into a new document based on your new template.

The thing that is corrupt is the internal structure that serves as a model
for each bulleted list. Word stores it in the Normal template, and in the
Word.Prefs .plist, and copies it to each new file you create.

So you need to be very thorough to cure this if you have any previous
versions of Word on that computer (or ever have had...)

Hope this helps

I'm having the same problem. I select text, click on the bullets icon to apply
bullets and Word shuts down. I tried applying the above fix---renaming the doc
template and pasting in a copy of the document except for the last paragraph
mark. All it did was shut down again.

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[kathydavie]

Thanks very much for your help...been driving me nuts!

 

[jailto a oliveira]

 

[John McGhie]

You need to type a question here in order to get an answer.



--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[Jeff Wiseman]

"jailto a oliveira" was responding to the OP's first query, so I
think a more appropriate response would have been:

"You need to type an answer here in order to answer a question"

(although I think that your original response to the OP was
pretty good too

 

[George_B]

Hi again,
I was just about to say, that the above replies did not solve the bullet/crashing problem even though I tried most of the solutions suggested. 2-3 days ago word was still crashing and coming up with weird error messages like:
"Word could not create the work file. Check the amount of disk space on your startup disk" and
"You are working without a Word work file and memory is nearly full. Save your work" and
"Word cannot save or create this file. The disk may be full or write-protected" (I had no disk loaded)
But I thought I better try Word before I write again and, would you believe it, it works (I think). I did however download a virus barrier in the last 2 days and scan the computer.
So all I can say is: I have no idea what solved the problem.
Many thanks anyway to all the clever "office brains" who helped.
cheers
George B

 

[John McGhie]

Hi George:

That "can" be because your hidden "Temp" directory is indeed full.

If you shut down the computer (and turn the power off) then re-start, Unix
runs a series of housekeeping tasks when it boots. This "can" fix this sort
of problem

And just FYI, "the above replies" is a bit risky in here. None of us see
the list in the same sequence that you do. Many of us are not even looking
at the same server

Hope this helps

Hi again,
I was just about to say, that the above replies did not solve the
bullet/crashing problem even though I tried most of the solutions suggested.
2-3 days ago word was still crashing and coming up with weird error messages
like:
"Word could not create the work file. Check the amount of disk space on your
startup disk" and
"You are working without a Word work file and memory is nearly full. Save your
work" and
"Word cannot save or create this file. The disk may be full or
write-protected" (I had no disk loaded)
But I thought I better try Word before I write again and, would you believe
it, it works (I think). I did however download a virus barrier in the last 2
days and scan the computer.
So all I can say is: I have no idea what solved the problem.
Many thanks anyway to all the clever "office brains" who helped.
cheers
George B

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[George_B]

Hi,
Looks like I spoke to early about the bullets/crashing problem being solved. Yesterday I opened a new template and numbering worked fine.
Just then I tried the same thing and I'm back to square 1. Not only that, but now Word crashes when I'm trying to print existing and new documents. As a pretty basic user of word I found it a bit difficult to follow some of the advice given, especially about the template?
I use Office 04 on Mac 10.4 X Intel. My usual working method is to open a new template and start typing. I also use Word for envelopes and at some stage in the past have successfully attempted a mail merge.
By the way: at this point every drop down menu in Word is grayed out and un-usable.
What to do next?
regards
George B

 

[John McGhie]

Hi George:

Hmmm... "All" menus are greyed out if there is no document open, or if the
document is Protected.

If you "customise" bullets an numbering, you need to know what you are
doing, or you can produce list templates within the document that will crash
Word.

The instructions I am about to give you need to be followed exactly
(word-perfect!) so if you find it too difficult, you may wish to find some
unbearable young person to give you a hand

1) Close all documents

2) Open your Normal Template as a document by using the menu (File>Open...)

3) Go to Format>Bullets and Numbering...

4) For each sample square in each tab, select it, then click the Reset
button.

For some samples, the Reset button will be greyed out. That's fine: it
means that sample has not been customised, which is what you want.

5) When you have Reset them all, close the dialog, then Save the template
and Quit Word.

That should solve the issue for any NEW document you create.

For OLD documents that were created by someone else, or that were created
before you did the above, the corrupted numbering is stored in the DOCUMENT.
You need to fix the document:

A) Open each bad document

B) Create a new blank document

C) Carefully copy everything EXCEPT the last paragraph mark in the old
document.

D) Paste into the new document

E) Save the new document to a new file name.

You will need to do this to each document.

Hope this helps

Hi,
Looks like I spoke to early about the bullets/crashing problem being solved.
Yesterday I opened a new template and numbering worked fine.
Just then I tried the same thing and I'm back to square 1. Not only that, but
now Word crashes when I'm trying to print existing and new documents. As a
pretty basic user of word I found it a bit difficult to follow some of the
advice given, especially about the template?
I use Office 04 on Mac 10.4 X Intel. My usual working method is to open a new
template and start typing. I also use Word for envelopes and at some stage in
the past have successfully attempted a mail merge.
By the way: at this point every drop down menu in Word is grayed out and
un-usable.
What to do next?
regards
George B

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[George_B]

Hi John,
Thanks for your detailed answer. I tried the first part of your suggestions and the following happens.
1. I start word from the dock.
2. wizard appears.
3. Go to open a new document from the file menu but all items are grayed out. Click on "open" anyway - nothing happens - click on "cancel" in the wizard window - a new doc opens.
4. Go to Format &amp; click on bullets &amp; numbering - word crashes instantly.

Seems like at this point, I can't even fix the problems.

I'm seriously thinking about purchasing Office 2008 which is compatible with Intel. If I do this will this problem disappear or will it carry over into 2008? If yes, how do I delete Office 2004 successfully?

with appreciation

George B

 

[John McGhie]

Hi George:

You need to resolve this issue before you install Word 2008, or it is likely
to carry over (and get worse). It would help greatly if you had said WHICH
wizard it is that is appearing ‹ I suspect you have a bad Recovered Document
stuck in the mix, but I really can't tell from your description.

1) Quit all Office applications.

2) Go into your Microsoft Office User Data folder, find the file named
"Normal" and delete it.

3) Then empty the trash.

4) Then restart the computer.

That should fix it. If it doesn't, and if you are sure you want to upgrade,
buy Office 2008 and wait until it gets there. Then:

In your Application folder Microsoft Office 2004, in the Additional Tools
folder, you will find the "Remove Office" tool.

Run that to safely remove the whole of Office 2004. It's also on the Office
CD. It's best to run it twice from the CD for this purpose.

Then move your Microsoft Office User Data folder to your desktop.

Then install Office 2008. This prevents it sucking in the remnants of
whatever is broken in Office 2004.

When you start Entourage 2008, it will ask if you want to import from
anywhere: point it at your 2004 MUD folder.

Hope this helps

Hi John,
Thanks for your detailed answer. I tried the first part of your suggestions
and the following happens.
1. I start word from the dock.
2. wizard appears.
3. Go to open a new document from the file menu but all items are grayed out.
Click on "open" anyway - nothing happens - click on "cancel" in the wizard
window - a new doc opens.
4. Go to Format & click on bullets & numbering - word crashes instantly.

Seems like at this point, I can't even fix the problems.

I'm seriously thinking about purchasing Office 2008 which is compatible with
Intel. If I do this will this problem disappear or will it carry over into
2008? If yes, how do I delete Office 2004 successfully?

with appreciation

George B

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[George_B]

Hi again,
Thanks again for your help.
Firstly, the wizard I mentioned is not a wizard (sorry) but a window called "Project Gallery - New". I don't know if this will cause you to change your answer in anyway.
I will have Office 2008 on Saturday (9/2/08) and will follow your instructions carefully.
You've been a great help.
regards
George B

 

[John McGhie]

No, I suspected that it was Project Gallery.

The problem is the Normal Template, or
~/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Word Settings (10)

You need to delete both.

Cheers

Hi again,
Thanks again for your help.
Firstly, the wizard I mentioned is not a wizard (sorry) but a window called
"Project Gallery - New". I don't know if this will cause you to change your
answer in anyway.
I will have Office 2008 on Saturday (9/2/08) and will follow your instructions
carefully.
You've been a great help.
regards
George B

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[George_B]

Sorry to keep taking up your time on this.
After your last reply, I went looking for:
/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Word Settings (10)
Interestingly enough, that file is not there. I have "Microsoft Office Settings (11)" but not the Word one. Does that have anything to do with the whole saga?
thanks again, cheers
George

 

[John McGhie]

My Bad... Late night brain-fade...

Yes, that's the one. Quit Word and delete it.

Word will re-create a new one when it restarts.

Hope this is it...

Sorry to keep taking up your time on this.
After your last reply, I went looking for:
/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Word Settings (10)
Interestingly enough, that file is not there. I have "Microsoft Office
Settings (11)" but not the Word one. Does that have anything to do with the
whole saga?
thanks again, cheers
George

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[George_B]

I'm afraid the saga continues!!!
I just followed all your steps to the letter to remove 2004 and install the just arrived Office 2008. I've got a fully functioning Entourage with all my old contacts in place.
With Excel I can open old files but when I try and open a new workbook I get this message: Microsoft Excel cannot open or save any more documents because there is not enough available memory or disk space.
&nbsp;[to make more memory available, close workbooks or programs you no longer need.][to free disk space, delete files you no longer need from the disk you are saving to]
I have 3 GB of fully working RAM
With Word the situation is worse than before: I cannot open new or old files.
First I get the message: You are working without a Word work file and memory is nearly full. Save your work. (Then I clIck OK) Then I get this message: Word cannot open this document template (Document Elements.dotx)
I thought I was home free with 2008. Now this thing is turning into a nuisance.
more late night brain fade. I'm certainly stumped.
Does anybody know what's going on?
George B