"word cannot insert a file into itself"

Question

I've never seen this error before. Is the cause known?

thx

Word 2011, using latest OS X update.

Answer 1

Clambering in to the dusty recesses of my memory...

This can happen if someone emails you multiple documents with the same name, and you attempt to open them from within the email program.

If you always save the attachments to disk before opening them, you'll be a lot safer from Internet nasties, and the Finder will warn you if you are about to overwrite a same-named file.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

It would help to know what action you're taking that triggers the error.

I can only guess that you have a specific document open & that you are attempting to use Insert> File to insert that same document into itself. That's the only time I've ever seen that message.

Answer 3

Thanks. That's a possibility. I simply dislike "unknown" unknowns!

Answer 4

I was trying to open a few documents, not of my own making, off of an email attachment. I'll keep track to see if it ever repeats itself. I was just hoping it was a known error. Thanks.