Getting error Microsoft Excel cannot access the file 'Macintosh HD:

1. Couple of threads here. Note issue of permissions as well as wacky characters in file name re Excel.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/mac/forum/macoffice2011-macexcel/excel-2011-c an-not-open-or-save-a-xlsx-file-i-can/0c…

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/mac/forum/macoffice2011-macexcel/excel-wont-s ave-if-file-or-folder-has-in-its-name/90…

2. A quick fix sometimes is to be able to open the file and save it with a different name and never use the other one again.

3. From my own experience, the MS Office 2011 may have become corrupted.

By reinstalling Office 2011 you might be able to address these problems.

The current version of Office 2011 is 14.5.2

First - find your Office 2011 install disc with the product key # - and only then remove Office according to MS instructions

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2398768

Or go here to DianefromOregon's site for help removing Office 2011:

http://www.officeformachelp.com/2012/12/office-for-mac-2011-remove-office/

then Reinstall from DVD

then enter your Product #

After successfully reinstalling Office 2011, update your Office product by going to the Help menu within Word or Excel or PowerPoint and select Update.

How to locate product keys

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2279109

or here on locating product keys

http://office.about.com/od/MicrosoftOfficeMac/a/Best-3-Ways-To-Find-Microsoft-Of fice-For-Mac-Key-Codes.htm

Or

http://try.officeformac.com/store?Action=ContentTheme&Locale=en_US&SiteID=msmacu s&pbPage=CSTable&resid=VSGpKAoydBAAAINBCDQAAABU&rests=1428269373647

This note is updated as of July 14, 2015

You are most welcome. You could still have him reinstall. I had lots of crashes after Mavericks and prior to Yosemite. A fresh install made the difference on Office 2011.

Check out DianefromOregon's site for help removing Office 2011:

http://www.officeformachelp.com/2012/12/office-for-mac-2011-remove-office/

for instructions.