Contaminated File

Question

I am being told that a document I created, a manuscript (200 pages, 6" X 9') is somehow compromised, or contaminated. I cannot convert and save it to Adobe acrobat, while I can convert and save other mac word documents, albeit they are smaller files. I was wondering if anyone can give me some advise on creating a new file; and cutting and pasting from the old file so that I do not contaminate it.

This all rather puzzling. I keep trying to think how I contaminated the file and wonder if it was working with the corrections with my editor.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Index Field Codes display if the non-printing characters (¶) are toggled on. If you just want to not have them shown toggle non-printing characters off. [Command+8 toggles the display of non-printing characters.] Either way they do not display on paper or in a PDF.

If you actually want to remove all of the Index Field Codes you can use Advanced Find & Replace to search for fields using the code ^d in the Find what: field. Leave the Replace with: field blank. If the document contains no other types of fields you can Replace All. Otherwise, Replace only the Index Field Codes one at a time.

Answer 2

Thanks,

As to the problem; When I:

Select-print

Select-Save as Adobe pdf file

The program freezes in the processing and is not able to convert the file; the progress bar freezes with a tiny sliver left to go and the beach ball spins and spins,

I have spent hours with adobe trying to fix this and they have concluded that I have a contaminated file. I have also spent time with the Mac people checking preferences, which are okay.

I am able to convert smaller files. When I split the manuscript into smaller pieces I am only able to convert the first few bits.

I tried your suggestions and had the same problem. That said when I followed your suggestions and the break up into smaller files the last few pages loose there 6"x 9" and revert to standard 8 1/2 by 11", which I remove; perhaps that is the problem.

Thanks for taking the time and consideration.

madis

Answer 3

Thanks,

As to the problem; When I:

Select-print

Select-Save as Adobe pdf file

The program freezes in the processing and is not able to convert the file; the progress bar freezes with a tiny sliver left to go and the beach ball spins and spins,

I have spent hours with adobe trying to fix this and they have concluded that I have a contaminated file. I have also spent time with the Mac people checking preferences, which are okay.

I am able to convert smaller files. When I split the manuscript into smaller pieces I am only able to convert the first few bits.

I tried your suggestions and had the same problem. That said when I followed your suggestions and the break up into smaller files the last few pages loose there 6"x 9" and revert to standard 8 1/2 by 11", which I remove; perhaps that is the problem.

Thanks for taking the time and consideration.

madis

Answer 4

Perhaps someone could offer meaningful insight if you'd provide specific details about why you "cannot convert" it. What steps are you taking? What happens when you try? Are there any error messages? If so, what do they tell you? Can you provide a more complete description of how the document is structured? Please understand that it's difficult to help resolve a problem if you don't know exactly what the problem is :-)

As for creating a new version, Phillip is on the right track although he insists on doing it the hard way :-) For one thing, there's no need to "click at beginning"... When you first open a Word document the insertion point is already there. Even if it isn't, Command+A will Select All & obviates the need to scroll through 200 pages. At any rate, try it this way:

1. Command+A [to Select All]
2. Shift+Left Arrow [to deselect the ending ¶]
3. Command+C [to Copy]
4. Paste into a new blank document. I'd also suggest not using Paste Special - Plain Text. If you do you'll have to reformat the entire document & it will exclude any graphic content that isn't formatted as In Line with Text.
5. Save the new document

Answer 5

Try the following:

Do a "Maggie" on the document:

1.  turn on hidden characters with the ¶ button.
2.  click at beginning of document.
3.  scroll to end of document
4.  click just before the last ¶ mark.*
5.  now do a copy ⌘-C
6.  open a new blank document
7.  now do a Paste Special (From edit Menu choose Pastes Special >plain text)
8.  now save document with a slightly different name (example: letter.docx would become letter1.docx

This should correct any corruption.

*  example:

John hit the ball out of the park.¶

¶

John hit the ball out of the park.¶  ⬅ copy to here

¶ ⬅ not here