Level 8

41,359 points

Pages won't open document

We are getting an increased number of users all with files that refuse to open in Pages 5, particularly Pages 5.1.

I have gone over several of them and been unable to correct the problem, only able to open the Document.iwa sub file in the package to look at the mix of text snippets and I presume .xml.

Apple reportedly has also examined these and been unable to rectify them.

To aid some kind of resolution I ask that users who have had the problem post here, detailing the last things they did with the file and whether there is anything particular to the files that may be leading to the problem.

Particularly relevant would be where and how the files were last saved.

Are they being transferred or backed up to iCloud?

Are you using 3rd party syching or backup solutions like DropBox?

Are they being re-edited on iDevices, iWork for iCloud beta or back and forth from Word .doc?

Were there any preceeding warnings or difficulties of any kind with the document?

Or anything else you can think of.

Thank you,

Peter

Posted on Mar 19, 2014 5:37 PM

181 replies

PeterBreis0807 Author

Level 8

41,359 points

Mar 31, 2014 8:27 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

Another:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6050084?tstart=0

Peter

Mar 31, 2014 9:16 PM in response to uluchay

Hi, Ulachay, My document is more than 60 pages, when I open it with preview, it can only show one page.

PeterBreis0807 Author

Level 8

41,359 points

Mar 31, 2014 9:19 PM in response to Zifeiyu0311

That is just a jpeg of the first page for use in CoverFlow and QuickLook in Finder.

Peter

Mar 31, 2014 9:29 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

Peter I am having similar issues with both Pages and Numbers. The issues appeared for me after installation of Mavericks. I have been given the recommendation to shift + open when I launch the program so only the single file will open on launch, and it works, but frankly this infuriates me. The problem did not exist previously. I am going to purchase MS Office, which also makes me angry, having spent time to learn and understand the iWorks universe.

Add to this a similar reaction from Apple experts that the problem does not exist, when clearly it does in the forums. I began to worry something was amiss with my machine.

Mar 31, 2014 9:30 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

Hi, Peter, is it possible to view all pages?

PeterBreis0807 Author

Level 8

41,359 points

Mar 31, 2014 9:34 PM in response to Zifeiyu0311

You can try to look at the contents which will not give you the layout in Pages but whatever is used to assemble it:

right click on the file > Show Contents

Peter

PeterBreis0807 Author

Level 8

41,359 points

Mar 31, 2014 9:36 PM in response to josh.hernandezmorse

josh.hernandezmorse wrote:

The problem did not exist previously.

Then why not just use Pages '09 which should still be in your Applications/iWork folder.

Peter

Mar 31, 2014 9:45 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

Peter, thank you very much.

uluchay

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2014 2:43 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

I lost hope long ago and made the transition back to Pages 4. I used a free OCR which has an on screen scan function but censors some of the words because it is a trial version.

Still made my job a lot easier and in the end I've just lost one day to scan-paste-correct-format. This seems to be the only feasible option for those who can see their entire document on preview.

The software is called "Prizmo"

PeterBreis0807 Author

Level 8

41,359 points

Apr 1, 2014 3:05 AM in response to uluchay

I am sure there are other alternatives as well and you can even use Maverick's dictation ability to read and transcribe if necessary.

But better is to look after yourself and not put yourselves in harm's way.

I know that is not always possible, but one thing I know will get you into deep water is the naïve belief that Apple is benigningly looking down on you from up in the clouds somewhere.

Stand on your own two feet and don't lean on someone else at every opportunity, or fall for every too-good-to-be-true sales pitch.

Peter

Psipook

Level 1

4 points

Apr 1, 2014 3:46 AM in response to Zifeiyu0311

Me too. My document is 24,000 words. Can only see the first page.

Psipook

Level 1

4 points

Apr 1, 2014 3:49 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

I found a feedback form on the Apple site and sent a message through that. I have had ZERO response, not even an acknowledgement of receipt. I guess that's what they think of us users.

PeterBreis0807 Author

Level 8

41,359 points

Apr 1, 2014 4:18 AM in response to Psipook

Let me tell you the parable of a young guy who was a few cans short of a slab, a few bob short of a quid, not dealing with a full deck, not the sharpest crayon in the box…

…he was always the butt of a lot of jokes and sick of being teased and left out.

So one day he goes to the doctor, and says: "Doc, I'm not tooooo smart, 'n I wanna know if you can' do sumin' for me?"

The doctor gives him a thorough examination, and agrees the guy has a problem, but gives him a ray of hope.

"There is something new on the market that might work."

He goes into the back and comes out with a jar of large black pills. "Take these one a day for a fortnight and come see me again to see how you are going."

The young guy takes the jar and dilligently takes one a day for a fortnight and comes back to see the doctor.

"Doc, I dun took'm jus like you said, but I don't feel any smarder!"

The doctor says, "Hmm, we'll up the dose and see how we go." and gives him 2 jars.

The guy takes his 2 pills a day for a fortnight and sees the doctor again.

"Dunno doc. Took 'em like you said **' still don' feel any smarder."

Doctor says " This looks like an intractable case, here take 3 jars and see me in a fortnight".

Guy goes away, does as he's told and takes 3 a day for a fortnight, before coming back to the doctor:

"Geez Doc, took 3 a day like you said, **' you know they're real hard to swallow and they taste just like sheepsh¡t !"

The doctor replies: "NOW you're getting smarter!"

Any resemblance to users or consumers is purely conincidental. 😉

PeterBreis0807 Author

Level 8

41,359 points

Apr 1, 2014 5:09 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

A possible solution for some:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6048470?tstart=0

Peter

fruhulda

Level 6

15,177 points

Apr 1, 2014 6:41 AM in response to Psipook

Have you tried selecting the document and then hit the space bar. You should be able to scroll in that window too or have they broken this feature in Mavericks?

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Pages won't open document