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Files saved in Microsoft Word for Mac won't open on PC

Anonymous
2012-02-23T02:19:10+00:00

When I save a file, either .docx or .doc (I've tried both), and save it to my USB Flash Drive, and try to open it on a PC I can't open it and shows up as a .File extention. I have tried multiple compatibility settings and nothing seems to work. Any thoughts?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-02-23T11:28:31+00:00

    Yes, you are opening the wrong "half" of the file.

    A Mac file is in two parts, for historical reasons.  There is nothing in the first half, but it's still written, for compatibility purposes.

    Windows File Explorer can be set to show and manage as a single file, to show both but manage as a single, or to show and manage both parts separately.

    You just need to make yourself a mental note to check the file extension when opening on Windows (or the size... the blank part is only 245 bytes...)

    Better yet:  Get out of the habit of "opening" files on a Flash Drive.  Copy them to your hard drive first.  There are a variety of "bad things" that can happen if you try to edit Word files on flash drives, better not to tempt fate.

    Cheers

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-02-23T20:36:28+00:00

    Thanks for your response! Unfortunately, that did not solve the problem. There is only one file showing up and it is a .File extension and this particular file is 119KB. I looked for another part to the file, like you said, and couldn't find anything. I also tried copying it from my Flash Drive to my desktop, and it still showed up as a .File extension. When I click the file it allows me to browse for a program to open it, but nothing all of the programs I try say that its an invalid file format. Thank you a lot for your effort though.

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  3. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2012-03-01T06:23:57+00:00

    Would you like this thread moved to the PC forum?  From what you are saying the file is being saved with a .docx file extension and opens normally on your Mac. 

    Have you tried using the flash drive on a different PC? The problem may have something with the way you are saving it to the flash drive, or could be on the PC. It does not appear to be a problem with Office on your Mac.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-02-29T21:14:34+00:00

    Was this a one-off problem, or are you still trying to find an answer?

    In this case, I don't have anything new to suggest. But can you copy your word document to a place where we could see what is in it? (I sometimes use www.skydrive.com for that, for example).

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