Pages 09 will NOT open MS Word documents - please help!

Question

Level 2

188 points

Pages 09 will NOT open MS Word documents - please help!

I just bought a new MacBook Pro and installed Pages 09 (iWork 09) and none of the apps will open the MS files. I was told that i would be able to open Word, Excel and PowerPoint docs with iWork. When i try to open a .doc or .docx it will open the Pages app and then give me an error message that this document cannot be opened. Same with Excel and PP files. I have all the latest updates and etc....went right from my PC to the MacBook. I have changed the word docs to open with Pages and etc. I REALLY need access to a lot of these files - anybody have any ideas or was i told wrong about being able to open the docs?

MacBook Pro 15, Mac OS X (10.6.5), Brand new this week

Posted on Dec 11, 2010 7:36 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

115,922 points

Dec 11, 2010 7:58 AM in response to Steven Wilson

I REALLY need access to a lot of these files

While you wait for someone to help you with Pages, try using the Open menu of TextEdit, or try using the free OpenOffice.

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Answer 2

Steven Wilson Author

Level 2

188 points

Dec 11, 2010 8:02 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Yes, i can actually upload to my Google Docs and do what i need, but i just think iWork should work as i was told. Am I correct that it "should" be able to open these files?

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Answer 3

aafender

Level 1

0 points

Dec 11, 2010 8:23 AM in response to Steven Wilson

Having the exact same issue on a new MBP. I've DLed both .doc and .docx files via Chrome and Firefox and none of them open in Pages 09. I keep getting the same "The document "[filename]" could not be opened."

Very eager to find a fix.

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Answer 4

fruhulda

Level 6

15,161 points

Dec 11, 2010 8:35 AM in response to Steven Wilson

If you send me one that can't be opened to me I will have a try too. My mail address you'll reach by clicking on my blue name.

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Answer 5

Steven Wilson Author

Level 2

188 points

Dec 11, 2010 9:31 AM in response to fruhulda

THIS WORKED FOR ME: Whew....good luck!

Make sure your iWork applications are updated. For iWork '08 that is Pages 3.0.3 & Numbers 1.0.3. For iWork '09 it's Pages 4.0.3 & Numbers 2.0.3. If you're not running the latest versions & Software Update says your software is up to date, make sure the applications are where the installer initially put them. The updaters are very picky. If the location is not where the updater is programmed to look or if the folder doesn't have the name the updater looks for, it will not work. The applications cannot be renamed or moved.

VERY IMPORTANT>>>> They must be in the iWork '08 or iWork '09 folder in Applications. That iWork folder must be named iWork '08 or iWork '09. If it doesn't have the '08 or '09 Software Update won't find them & the updaters won't work

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Answer 6

Steven Wilson Author

Level 2

188 points

Dec 11, 2010 9:32 AM in response to Steven Wilson

My last post fixed my issue.

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Answer 7

aafender

Level 1

0 points

Dec 11, 2010 9:39 AM in response to Steven Wilson

Tried software update and it solved the issue!

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Answer 8

Peggy

Level 8

41,601 points

Dec 11, 2010 11:28 AM in response to Steven Wilson

I believe I've updated those directions. Currently, the iWork '09 apps are at version x.0.4.

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Answer 9

billkey

Level 1

5 points

Jan 4, 2011 10:08 PM in response to Peggy

aargh. OS is updated, Pages is updated (4.0.4). Doc won't open on daughter's new macbook, but will open on my imac or older macbookpro with same updates. Something funky with the new macbook install.
Anyone have any ideas on where to look to fix this problem?

I've trashed prefs, I've repaired permissions.

thx

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Answer 10

Jan 19, 2011 12:26 PM in response to Steven Wilson

Im having the same problem w/ BOTH Doc and DocX formats. (Also Xls and XlsX)

I have DOCX and XLS files sent to me by a client for project purposes.

I can open them in Word 2004 (w/ XML update) w/o any problems.

I am also running iWork 2009 w/ current updates. Also running Mac OSX SL 10.6.5.

I can open the DocX files in TextEdit - again w/o no problems (save for formating - but I dont need it).

To test this - I created a new file in Pages. Also a new file in Numbers. Saved copies of BOTH as Doc and Xls.

Opened both in Word and Excel w/o any problems.

Made changes in the respective Applciations - resaved the files.

Wnet back to Pages (and Numbers) and attemtped to reopen the files that were previously made in Pages and Numbers and received the following Error:

"The document 'Untitled.doc' could not be opened."

In Numbers it is a slightly different story. I try to open an Excel file (either format) and I get a Progress bar that says "Opening..."

Then it crashes after about 30 seconds.

Additionally - From Pages and Numbers - if I save out work in Doc and Xls formats - then immediately re-open them in Pages and Numbers w/o going to Word and Excel first - it produces the same results.

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Answer 11

KOENIG Yvan

Level 8

41,807 points

Jan 20, 2011 2:21 AM in response to Jp Cooper

Which scheme where you using to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.5 ?

If you used the infamous "Software Update", hurry up,
download and apply the 10.6.5 combo updater.

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1324

or download and apply the 10.6.6 combo updater

http://support.apple.com/kb/dl1349

Yvan KOENIG (VALLAURIS, France) jeudi 20 janvier 2011 11:21:44

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Answer 12

k8nguyen

Level 1

0 points

Apr 12, 2012 2:06 PM in response to Steven Wilson

Gosh, thanks! Worked like a charm.

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