Word cannot open the document: user does not have access privileges (Office 16.78.3 for Mac)

Question

Word cannot open the document:  user does not have access privileges

Answer 1

Hi RoMrs. O,

Thank you for reaching out. My name is Leo, a user just like you. I'd be happy to help you with your concern.

May I know which Microsoft Office version you are currently using? Also, does the issue occur with only a single file or with all other files as well? How about creating a new document—does the issue also occur? Have you used or installed a third-party font? What troubleshooting steps have you already tried? We will wait for your response to assist you further with the issue.

For more information and for the suggested steps by other users related to this issue, you can access the link below:

https://answers.microsoft.com/thread/eaf602b2-c69b-4cb9-9994-0b92bbdfb182

Your understanding and patience will be highly appreciated. I hope I provided a helpful information regarding your concern! Let me know if you have any further questions. Be safe always!

Best Regards,

Leo

Answer 2

Thank you for getting back to me , Leo. It has been very frustrating to try for hours to reach Microsoft with no luck. I am using 16.78.3 on my Mac. I don't know anything about a third party font. I have reached out to Apple support and they have been trying to solve the problem for over two weeks. Many of my documents will not open. I can create new ones but I wonder when they will be locked. Somehow, there seems to be something about permission. I think when Apple realizes it is a Microsoft issue they will stop trying to help me. The problem is on both of my computers, the MacBook Pro and the i Mac. I do not understand why Microsoft does nothing to help its customers. Thank you for any help you can give.

Answer 3

Thank you for clarifying, RoMrs. O. May I know if the files that don't have permission or are not accessible are saved using OneDrive? I would suggest trying the recommendations in the link. You can follow one of the steps below:

To repair permissions.

1. Quit all applications.
2. Restart Computer while holding down Shift key.
3. Continue holding shift key down until you see a progress bar show on the screen.
4. Once you see Progress Bar you can release the shift key.
5. Wait until it asks to sign in (use same sign you use to install software).
6. Let it finish loading.
7. Now restart normally.
8. Now try to access your files.

Answer 4

Thank you, Leo, for your efforts to help me. I tried your solution but the files still will not open. I save to folders. I am not familiar with One Drive. I read about changing file permissions and security but I do not know how to access those settings. It seems as though something is locked? Thank you for your willingness to help me.

Answer 5

Thank you for clarifying, RoMrs. O. May I know if you can still open your files via the Word online version? To check, go to www.office.com, then try accessing your files. If you are able to access them without any issues, it might be that there's something wrong with your application. Since none of the suggested troubleshooting steps have worked, I recommend reinstalling your Office. I will provide you with the steps below.

Follow the steps on this link to uninstall Office, you must select the correct version of Mac you are using to proceed. Link: https://support.microsoft.com/office/eefa1199-5b58-43af-8a3d-b73dc1a8cae3

After you have completely removed Office, follow the steps below to install the correct version:

1. Go to www.office.com and select Sign In if you are not already signed in.
2. Sign in with the account you associated with this version of Microsoft 365 or Office. This account can be a Microsoft account or a work or school account. Make sure you're using the account you used when you purchased Office.
3. Once signed in, from the Microsoft 365 home page, select Install Office to start the download.
4. When the download is complete, open the Finder, go to Downloads, and double-click the Microsoft Office installer.pkg file (the name may vary slightly).
5. On the first installation screen, select Continue to start the installation process.
6. Review the software license agreement, then click Continue.
7. Select Accept to accept the terms of the software license agreement.
8. Choose how you want to install Microsoft 365 and click Continue.
9. Review the disk space requirements or change the installation location, and then click Install.
10. Enter your Mac login password if prompted, then click Install Software. (This is the password you use to log into your Mac.)
11. The software will begin installing. Click Close when the installation is complete.

To activate:

1. Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock to display all your apps.
2. Click the Microsoft Word icon (or another Microsoft 365 or Office icon) in Launchpad.
3. The News window opens automatically when you start Word. Click Get started to start the activation.

After you completed all the steps, kindly try to access again your Microsoft Word files and check if the issue was resolved.

For more detailed steps, you can refer to the link provided below:

https://support.microsoft.com/office/4414eaaf-0478-48be-9c42-23adc4716658#InstallSteps=Install_on_a_Mac