Keynote won't save any files due to permission error

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76 points

Keynote won't save any files due to permission error

Hi all, I am having an incredibly frustrating permissions issue. Keynote is unable to save any files, anywhere on my Mac. The error I receive is:

The document "<document name>" could not be saved as "<filename>". You don't have permission.

I have tried EVERYTHING to solve this:

Read all the support docs/forums I could find on Apple communities
Ensured that permissions for my folders and enclosed files are set correctly
Used disk first aid to repair permissions
Deleted all Keynote preferences and uninstalled it
Freshly installed Keynote

The only thing that works is if I create a new user on Mac, and try to use Keynote with that user. I can then save files, but all my docs and files are in the other account.

Has anyone come across this? It's placed me in a lot of trouble as I have some big presentations next week, and don't really have the time to mess with moving gigs of data/apps/prefs to a new user account.

Any helps is really appreciated.

Posted on Oct 12, 2019 3:12 PM

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Answer 1

Glyph Author

Level 1

76 points

Oct 24, 2019 5:50 PM in response to DavviDavvi

Regrettably I have to say the problem is back, and this time I can't fix it with the same approach of deleting the preferences.

The issue happened again when I tried to place a video in the file. All of a sudden it could no longer save, and then keynote could not save any files, even a brand new blank one.

I can't believe this, I have had to start using Powerpoint again. That's like going from an iPhone back to a flip-phone.

If anyone finds any other solutions, please do share.

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Answer 2

Oct 14, 2019 2:11 PM in response to Glyph

Same problem in Keynote.

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Answer 3

Glyph Author

Level 1

76 points

Oct 17, 2019 4:43 AM in response to DavviDavvi

Can you do me a favour and try something as I may have found a solution. I deleted my finder preferences, and it looks to have fixed the problem, at least for now.

The file to delete is locate in User > Library > Preferences > com.apple.finder.plist

Once deleted restart your machine straight away, and then launch Keynote and see if you can save files again.

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Answer 4

Oct 17, 2019 7:23 AM in response to Glyph

Luckily, there was a system update yesterday I installed that seems to have fixed the issue. Thank you kindly for posting a solution. Catastrophe avoided as the problem began right as I arrived at a client's office to work on nothing else but a bunch of Keynote files!

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Answer 5

Oct 17, 2019 7:28 AM in response to Glyph

I also noticed there were fewer errors when the file was saved onto my Desktop as opposed to Dropbox where I usually keep them. Sorry I can't verify the finder preference solution as everything is working fine now.

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Answer 6

Glyph Author

Level 1

76 points

Oct 17, 2019 7:24 AM in response to DavviDavvi

Yesterday's system update made no difference on my end. So far so good though, Keynote has been working all night now without a hitch.

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Keynote won't save any files due to permission error

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