Problem with .docx files and Office 2004

Question

Level 1

27 points

Problem with .docx files and Office 2004

After the upgrade to Snow Leopard, I now am receiving a message "There is not enough memory or disk space to convert." when I try to open a Office 2007/2008 docx file. The error does not happen on all docx files, but only on files over 100kb. The same files that do not work now, all worked prior to upgrading to Snow Leopard. I am using a fully patched Office 2004 (11.5) in addition to the open XML compatibility software 1.1.1 from Microsoft. I have removed all error and duplicate fonts and repaired disk permissions.

I have looked on both Apple and Microsoft for an answer, but nothing except Microsoft claiming Office 2008 will work seamlessly with Snow Leopard.

MacBook Pro 17", Mac OS X (10.6), 2Gb Memory and 20Gb free hard disk

Posted on Sep 8, 2009 12:51 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 21, 2009 2:06 PM in response to Dbontjes

Help, I too am having the same problem after installing Snow Leopard. I bought Office 2008 to upgrade from Office 2004 and that has created worse problems. I've deleted Office '08 until the bugs are worked out of Snow Leopard. Any help is much appreciated (:
I'm sorry I upgraded to Snow Leopard!!

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Answer 2

tancao

Level 1

35 points

Oct 1, 2009 12:10 PM in response to Carla Carson

Snow leopard is really suck, I now can not open some .docx files,the file is very small 56Kb, and I always got this message "There is not enough memory or disk space"

I use my daughter macbook with leopard 10.5.x, and open it fine,both machine has the same set-up, the only different is leopard vs. snow leopard.

Just a note, this is the workaround for me, when the file failed to open, I can use text editor to open it on snow leopard machine

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Answer 3

Oct 12, 2009 6:28 AM in response to Dbontjes

I just came across this problem too. Very frustrating. I just got this new MacBook Pro last week (so I'm using Snow Leopard too). I installed Office 2004, updated it to 11.5, and installed the open XML conversion software, but no dice. I absolutely should have plenty of memory and disk space to do any docx conversion.

Also, I'm only trying to convert a 20KB docx file, so large file size isn't an issue here. And my copy of Office 2004 is totally legit, in case that's a question.

I really need to be able to open docx files for work, so this is a real problem for me. Help me, Apple-wan Kenobi!

Message was edited by: juliamontgomery

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Answer 4

Ian-K

Level 1

100 points

Oct 12, 2009 6:36 AM in response to Dbontjes

.docx files can ONLY be opened on office 2007 for pc or office 2008 for mac
they will not work on office 2003 or office 2004 for mac.
generally you cannot convert them, instead the files need to be saved as office 97-2003 compatibility.

office 2008 works fine on snow leopard

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Answer 5

Oct 12, 2009 7:20 AM in response to juliamontgomery

juliamontgomery,

This is perhaps not a solution to your problem, but NeoOffice can open .docx files, convert them to other formats, and was my replacement for office until I purchased iWork.

It is also free (as in beer) and can be downloaded here:
https://www.neooffice.org/neojava/en/earlyaccessdownload.php

HTH

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Answer 6

Oct 19, 2009 2:20 PM in response to Ian-K

office 2004 has a patch that's downloadable from the MS website. It allows users to convert .docx and .xlsx files to be converted into 2004 format. I've been having the same issue as above. Since upgrading to Snow Leopard, this no longer works. I get the same memory error as other users. Does anyone know of a work around?

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Answer 7

Oct 19, 2009 2:37 PM in response to tancao

tancao wrote:
Snow leopard is really suck, I now can not open some .docx files,the file is very small 56Kb, and I always got this message "There is not enough memory or disk space"

Actually Snow Leopard is fine and its your understanding that suck_s. Your issue is with the converter which cannot cope with the file translation and goes into an interminable loop. There actually is enough space, but the converter is non-functional, which is not Apples fault.

Perhaps aim your ire at Microsoft next time where it lies ?

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Answer 8

Nov 3, 2009 3:10 PM in response to Dbontjes

Did you get a solution to this?? I've just stumbled across exactly the same problem.

It's incredibly annoying.

Any help appreciated,

G

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Answer 9

Nov 3, 2009 3:15 PM in response to Dbontjes

Look for the patch mentioned above or other update on [MacTopia|http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.mspx]. Also, you can join in on the Mactopia forums to help solve your problem.

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Answer 10

Nov 3, 2009 3:33 PM in response to Dbontjes

Also having this issue. Asked at mactopia and was instructed to delete font caches and remove duplicate fonts (see here: http://www.officeformac.com/ms/ProductForums/Office/4363/1), which I tried with no luck. Any other ideas?

Thanks.

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Answer 11

Nov 3, 2009 4:24 PM in response to elliotcolbert

I think you need an update--assuming a pertinent one is available. There was an update to Windows Office 2003 (or whatever) to allow improvements in opening (or maybe to open period) the files native to Windows Office 2007 (or whatever). I would imagine there is a similar update for Mac Office 2004, but I can't swear to it. I'd search the heck out of Mactopia.

What those at Mactopia suggested is not likely to be your solution. So, also go back and ask about updates to Mac Office 2004.

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Answer 12

bphendri

Level 1

119 points

Nov 3, 2009 6:28 PM in response to Graham Outterside

I use Office 2008 with no problems,

Just wondering if the problem lies in the fact that the converter is PPC, and is having problems running under Rosetta in SL?

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Answer 13

Nov 4, 2009 8:54 AM in response to donv_the_ghost

I would assume an update is required as well, however I don't believe there is one available. The most recent update to the converter is 1.1.1 on August 6, which I'm using. Could just be a matter of waiting until a fully SL-compatible update is released, assuming there's one forthcoming...

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Answer 14

Nov 4, 2009 8:56 AM in response to bphendri

I guess this is possible, however I have successfully opened .xlsx files with the same converter so if so, the problem would be isolated to Word.

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Answer 15

Nov 5, 2009 2:13 PM in response to elliotcolbert

I still can not find anything. Until I do, I use Google docs to open .docx files. It's cumbersome, but it works.

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