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Spotlight finds Word Docs, but shows them with a Finder icon and won't allow me to open them by double clicking in spotlight window

Title says most of it.


Here's what happens:

    • I access Spotlight from the menu bar with command-space
    • I perform a spotlight search of the form textstring kind:word
    • I get results, but each Word file is shown with a Finder icon instead of a Word icon.
    • I double click on a file shown in the Spotlight results window, and it does not open.


Here's what I've tried to fix it:

    • Reindexed the drive I am searching by dragging it to the do not search window and then removing it from the do not search window in the Siri and Spotlight pane of System Settings. This didn't seem to help.
    • Using "Get Info" on a Word file to set "Open with" to Microsoft Word and apply to all documents like this one. This seemed to partially work. Some but not all Word files now show up with a preview view as their icon, and I can open these by double clicking on them in the Spotlight window. Others, though, still have Finder icons and I can't open those.


I am running Ventura 13.2.1 on a MacBook Pro (13 inch, M1, 2020)


Thanks for your suggestions.


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.1

Posted on Mar 26, 2023 1:32 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 26, 2023 2:15 PM

Have you checked the double click speed in the System/Accessibility/Pointer Control settings pane? If it 's too slow or fast that might affect the double click. Does double click otherwise work as expected?


If so boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 26, 2023 2:15 PM in response to Tom Rocklin

Have you checked the double click speed in the System/Accessibility/Pointer Control settings pane? If it 's too slow or fast that might affect the double click. Does double click otherwise work as expected?


If so boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


Spotlight finds Word Docs, but shows them with a Finder icon and won't allow me to open them by double clicking in spotlight window

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