How does one empty Word's cache?

Question

No help.  First, I'm not sure that the server issue is applicable to all these events.  I get the "too many files open" incessantly even when working at my Mac at home on my home wi-fi network.  Also, one of the "fix" articles I read suggested emptying Word's cache.  If you agree, how does one do that?

[Follow-up message split off by moderator from this already answered question]

Answer 1

Before #1 & #2, try #4 followed by a power off shut down. See if the issue continues when you start up again.

Also, has the Mac experienced any crashing while running Word? Specifically when is the error message triggered & what is the exact wording of the entire error message?

Is this the same Mac being transported from work to home?

Complete & accurate details are needed to resolve issues like this -- there are just too many variables that can factor into any given user's experience.

Answer 2

Since your original question was posted some things have changed.

Updating to the current version of Office may fix this problem. Also, be certain that there are no slashes  or other oddball characters in the name of your startup disc.

Answer 3

Thanks.  Good points.  I'll try to get the exact wording of the error messages.  Yes, the use of plural was intentional -- the error message comes in two (2) parts: the first says (more or less) that the operation could not be completed because too many files are open.  The second message is longer and I can't recall its gist.  I usually just mutter profanities under my breath, save (the error often happens when I hit the "Save" or "Save As" function), close, and re-open. That "shuts it up" for a while, but invariably returns, apparently undaunted.  

As for the office to home, and back issue -- this is generally not the case.  I have an iMac at home AND at work, and also have a MacBook Pro that I sometimes go back-and-forth with, but not often.  The error messages generally show up on my office Mac but, then again, that's where I do the vast majority of my work.

(PS:  I've researched this issue before, sometimes being directed to a "fix" article that is over 6 years old and that, incidentally, doesn't work -- partly, I think, because the instructions refer to steps that are no longer in the menu bar options, or have been renamed to something else.)

Answer 4

Hey CNL50,

Word doesn't have a cache, but it does have preference files that can easily become corrupt. To reset these preferences, log into your main account, click on the link below and follow Steps 1 and 2:

Launching Word for Mac error: "Microsoft Word has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience"

Let me know the results!