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How to insert audio files, using insert object, into Word comment threads on Microsoft 365 for Mac.

Anonymous
2022-11-02T16:05:14+00:00

I had been working with Microsoft Word from Office 365 on a Windows PC.  On that laptop, I was able to insert audio files into the Word comment thread. However, when I attempted to do the same using Microsoft 365 for Mac, it will not allow me do it and provides me with the following error message:

“The server application, source file, or item cannot be found. Make sure the application is properly installed, and that it has not been deleted, moved, renamed, or blocked by policy.”

For the work I do, I effectively have to switch back to a Windows laptop because I can no longer execute this function. Any help or pointing in the right direction to go to get someone's attention on the Microsoft development side to make this situation better would be appreciated.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | MacOS

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  1. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-11-02T16:30:43+00:00

    What steps are you taking? I seem to be able to insert audio files (.wav) into comments.

    Image

    Insert > Object is for inserting Excel and PowerPoint documents into the body of a Word document, not for inserting audio into comments.

    Here's what I did:

    In the text of the document where I wanted a comment, I used Insert > Field > Comments and typed the text of the comment with quotation marks into the dialog. Then I clicked OK to close the dialog and insert the Word Field into the document, which then displayed the text of the comment.

    Then, I right-clicked on the comment text and choose New Comment from the menu, which positioned a comment box to the right of my document body,

    Lastly, with the input cursor blinking in the comment box, from the Insert menu I chose Audio > Audio from File and selected a .wav file.

    Image

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  1. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-11-11T21:44:09+00:00

    I wonder what's different from what you did and what I did.

    I am able to save the Word document with the sound file and then open it back up and the sound plays. When I recorded the action to add the sound to the comment box, the link property was false and save with document was true.:

    Selection.InlineShapes.AddPicture FileName:= _
        "/Users/JBG/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music/Unknown Artist/Unknown Album/Slide 25.wav" _
        , LinkToFile:=False, SaveWithDocument:=True

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-11-18T16:06:58+00:00

    Jim,

    I think I may have figured out the problem that I am having. I attempted to insert an audio file, Barracuda by Heart, which is 8.1 MB in size into a Word document on Mac using Microsoft 365. When I went to play the audio icon, it played the song. I then saved and emailed the file to try and open it on another Mac that has Word on it and it would not play. I went and looked into the file properties of the Word document that I created and the file was only 21.4 KB in size. I would expect it to be a little over 8..1 MB in size, if it contained the audio file. When you look at the file where you inserted the audio file into, what size is your file in the properties?

    To further test the idea, I moved the audio file I used to the trash and then opened up the Word file and instead of playing, it opened up to the location where the file used to be. So, even though the macro code is indicating not saving a link, that is what appears to be doing when I test it.

    Just to be sure that I don't have some hardware/software issues, I am using a friend's new Mac Pro 13" (see attached images of info) with Microsoft 365.

    Could you please check and let me know if you observe similar results?

    Thank you and have a good weekend,

    Don

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-11-16T14:51:24+00:00

    Thank you, Jim. I will double-check what I did and repeat it a couple of times to make sure that it wasn't a fluke or one-time error or mishap on my part and get back to you on the results.

    Don

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-11-11T15:39:05+00:00

    Jim,

    Thank you for your prompt and helpful response. I did as you instructed and I was able to insert an audio file into the comment thread. After inserting the audio file, I saved the file and opened it back up. The audio file was effectively turned into a picture. I am not a Microsoft expert, but I looked up how to show the Developer tab and tried to record a macro while inserting an audio file into the comment thread. The code basically showed that that is was creating a link to the audio, rather than saving the audio within the Word document. I know you are busy, but could you please test if you observe the same result after inserting an audio and saving the test document? Also, do you know of any specific Microsoft technical help links or forums that I could post the problem to like this Community forum? Thank you for your assistance.

    Don

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