Old word files missing

Seems like all the word files older than 2 weeks are missing on my wife's Macbook Air. She had quite a few of them across multiple folders and they all just disappeared. The new ones created today are still there. The missing files were there at the beginning of the month and somehow they are just gone. All the other files (pdf, etc) are still there in these folders; and the few new word files (.docx) she saved today are still there.
We haven't installed any new software and definitely didn't go into each of these folders and deleted the docx files. Any idea what's going on?

The most obvious workaround I can think of is to open the ancient Word 5.1a file into a more current version of Word on the Mac, then import into InDesign. Surely that's not the only version of Word you have?

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Opening old Word files

I have copied from diskettes some old Word files that show on my Mac as being Word files (the icon has the blue 'a' in the middle, and the have the .doc suffix), and if I click on 'Get Info' it says they are Word files, but I can't open them. If I click on them I get the window that asks what I want to convert it from and none of them work. These docs are from 1989 and 1990, so somewhat ancient but important to me. Anybody got any ideas?

DufusKerrang,
"If I click on them"
Because newer genreations of software build in certain unwanted automated features, you are better off opening a file from within a program instead of relying on shortcuts. Make backup copies of the files you want to open. Put them into a test folder. Open the open the version of Word you want to work with. Use the "open" option in the file menu and follow the options. Try several options and see which one gives the cleanest result.
If you have an older Mac that will run Word 2001, use it instead of the latest version. Word 2004 will crash OS X predictably and require restarting you computer. Avoid it. Newer software alters the icon of a file to show the newer software logo, even if you did not want the icon altered. It makes it harder to quickly identify older files created by older versions.
The assumption is that 1989 files were in Word 3. They should still be easily recognized but start in the destination program to open them. We have numerous versions of Word starting with v.1 on floppies so we could test options for which files will open on an OS X machine.
Ji˜m

I'm operating 10.6.8 If I upgrade to 10.7 or above, will I loose access to my old Word files?

I'm operating 10.6.8 If I upgrade to 10.7 or above, will I loose access to my old Word files?

You won't lose the documents unless a problem occurs(back them up), but if you're using Microsoft Office 2004 or earlier, you'll need to upgrade Office or open them in a different application.
(116259)

How do I read my old WORD files, it does not seem to recognize them?

I downloaded LION and now my WORD files that I had previoulsy can not be read. How do I get them back?

Elaine, did you change your name from Andy, or are you a separate person? Most of us don't pay that close attention to the name and since your response seemed to be a continuation of Andy's problem, nobody noticed.
Your question appeared to show absolutely no attempt to try the solutions provided for Andy (who we thought you were). What you did is called "threadjacking," and you did it in a way that made everyone believe you were actually Andy, who's thread you threadjacked.
Being that you are a self-professed novice, here's a very basic thing you need to understand: for the most part, data is separate from applications. So, just because your application (Word in this case) no longer works, that doesn't mean your documents are in jeopardy. You can install Office (Word) 2008 or 2011 and open those documents just fine. You can also use any of the programs mentioned to open those documents. There is nothing to "merge" between the applications.
To move them to your new computer, just copy the documents to an external hard drive, thumb drive, or CD/DVD. You can then move them to your Macbook. You can also turn on file sharing and move them that way, but you probably ought to have a backup since you claim them to be important.
Do you have a backup of your iMac? If not, I would suggest getting an external drive copying all your data onto that, make sure it all reads ok, then do what you need to do with your iMac.
Apple's setup assistant should have asked if you wanted to move stuff from your old computer to your new one, which would have been the best way to do that; however, since it appears you have already set up your account on the new Mac, I'd just back up the iMac, either by straight copy, Carbon Copy Cloner, or SuperDuper. You can then move the files you want onto your new Mac from the external hard drive.

Why won't old Word files open? Only option to open is to use Keynote

Why can't I open older word files not that I have upgraded to Snow Leopard? I assume this is the problem. It seems like I have to purchase Keynote if I want to open old documents???

It seems that your file/application associations have become corrupt. These files (.doc and .docx) are WORD files, as you said, but your Mac has forgotten.
To fix this: highlight a .doc file, and GET INFO (Control-I). In the window which opens, you'll see an "Open with" drop-down box, with a list of possible apps, and "other". Set this to "Microsoft Word" (If that's not already in the list, find it under "other"). Then "Use this application to open all documents like this one", click "Change all ...". Repeat this procedure with a .docx file.
This will most likely work, but If it doesn't, please get back here, describing exactly what you see in those "Info" windows, and what happens.
Good luck!

HELP! Is there any way to remove the remnant of an old Word file from OS 9.2.2?

I know this sounds bizarre, but I've spent the last 6 hours trying to remove a non-existant file from the iBook I bought in 2002. I have already tried Microsoft Support, but am stuck because I can't remember the details of the info I used the one and only time I created an account with them in order to ask a single question several year ago, and am unable to provide them with a new email address that's acceptable to them for a single-time contact.
Besides, since the problem is on a Mac iBook, I'm hoping I'll have more success in this community.
Although I bought the iBook 12 years ago, I did so on a whim, and never really used it for the purpose I envisioned, which included working on a couple of projects while I was away from home. In anticipation of those projects I loaded copies of the software I typically used onto the iBook . . . including Office 2001, which I apparently used to create several personal documents, which I saved on the same device.
Three or four years later, when my desktop Power Mac G4 was showing signs of trouble, I saved the most important documents to the iBook for safekeeping . . . and a few years later, did the same when the tray on the optical drive failed and I decided it was more cost-effective to replace than repair it.
Since then, the iBook has been in clear sight of my desk, but buried under piles of papers, until I rediscovered it last week . . . and since it's still in perfect condition, decided to look for a buyer. So far the few documents I created on the iBook plus the several hundred I had stored there have all been removed — except for the remnants of the half dozen files I created in Word.
I thought I was rid of them, but since they still show up in a list of documents when I open Word, my guess is there must be a "graveyard" somewhere on my iBook where the bones of dead files reside for eternity (or until the iBook itself is trashed).
There is no sign of them (or anything else) in the trash can . . . and when I click on their names, an error message informs me that it can't find the files, but I'm welcome to search for them myself.
I'm hoping someone in this forum can tell me where to look. . . . Since I'm pretty sure that even though all the other files have been deleted, there must be a directory of some sort still holding all or part of those documents, as well, I'm also wondering if there is some way to perform a clean sweep of all the created files, without removing the core software and third party apps — before I send the iBook onto a new owner.
The active operating system on the iBook is 9.2.2 — although I think it also came with an early version of OS 10 pre-loaded.
The Word software came with Office 2001, but I think it is version 5.1.
If there's a solution, I hope it's relatively easy, because the thought of writing scripts scares me.

Not sure what's happening with this thread, but in the last 15 minutes, Safari closed down twice — for reasons apparently indirectly related to our discussion, but also to a couple of sentences borrowed from a Word document I had just written and was attempting to paste into this response
To pick up from yesterday . . . Thanks again for your suggestions. After lunch, I did follow the first one, but unfortunately, it didn't work. But since I've always hated conceding to defeat without a decent fight (especially when it comes to a Mac) — I spent the next 5-6 hours trying to understand why I couldn't open those documents!! I never did find the answer, but think I at least found a work-around.
Just to clarify, when I looked at the list at the bottom of the File menu again, I realized there were nine of them (not just the 5-6 I had mentioned. From their titles, I also realized I had just seen them recently, while combing thru and culling the several hundred files I had saved to desktop Macs during those previously mentioned crises . . . And since the iBook couldn't find them on its drive . . . . thinking the docs might be missing critical information, I started by transferring them back on a thumb drive.
Like magic, I suddenly could read them, but still was unable to delete from from the iBook . . . until thru a series of quirky and convoluted maneuvers, I managed to delete all the content from each document and save them with their original names . . . copied the empty documents from my thumb drive to my iBook . . . re-opened them to confirm that they could now see the original (but now empty files) . . . saved and renamed them Document 1-9 in that order.. . . put copies of each into a new folder for safekeeping on both the iMaBool desktop and thumb drive . . . trashed the folder on the iBook desktop (knowing I still had backups on the thumb drive) . . .and Eureka! Documents 1-9 are still on the File Menu, but when opened, they all are now blank.
As for re-installing the original operating system, while I agree it's a good idea, it's been years since I last did a clean install, and can't remember if OS 9.2 allowed selective reinstalls. So rather than run the risk of removing ALL the third party software currently on the iBook, since my plan all along was to give the next owner all 5 MS Office disks (original install, 3 reinstall disks and separate hardware diagnostic disk), I think I'll leave that option to him/her.
Can't say it was fun, but ultimately the time spent probably was worthwhile, if only because it provided a valuable learning opportunity.
Thanks again for your suggestions and attention. (How could I give up after you took the time to offer them?)
cs

Old old FrameMaker files missing fonts/characters

I have a HUGE collection of FrameMaker files, created on a SUN system in vers 3.5. When we open in 5.5, or the new 9 (PC) there are fonts missing (being replaced) ie times helvetica, & new century schoolbook we have purchased and installed these fonts, but it still claims they are missing. (we now have zaph dingbats working) I have read about the .ini files, my next step is to try that, however, the CHARACTERS that are missing are Cyrillic, will editing the .ini files help this problem?..oh and many of the files are "view only"...our final working document will be liked pdf files...have we missed anything?

The easiest explanation is that the font names and font mapping has changed from the Sun mapping to the Windows system, which ini file editing may help, but I suspect you ahve a larger problem.
It's almost certain that the old files are using Cryllic characters from the FrameMaker character set.
Frame went to Unicode support in version 8, which basically means that if you're going to use FM 9 on the project (which you should, because of the Unicode support -- it makes them portable), that you're going to have to map the existing Cryllic characters to the corresponding Unicode Cryllic character.
Which also means that the fonts you've purchased had better include the Unicode characters -- which they may not. They probably do if they were crafted recently, but it's worth checking that detail now, before you jump in. Older fonts may not support Unicode.
The read-only setup in the old files is probably because someone locked them down so they couldn't be altered OR a bit or two got corrupted over the years. If that's what happened, try Esc F l k (the l = lower case L) to see if that fixes it.
Art

Spolight does not search old Microsoft Word files

Hi,
I have a large number of Microsoft Word files in in the Word 5 format, which Spotlight fails to find. Is there a way of getting Spotlight to index and find these? Or is there a program that can convert the old Word files to a new format? Doing so one by one would take far too long.
I appreciate your help.
Michel

Most versions of Word® can update the files, and Neo-Office can, but you'd need a script to load then save them.
And MacLinkPlus used to have a Drag and Drop Document converter.
Or you could get EasyFind...
http://www.devon-technologies.com/download/
Near the bottom of the page.

Will my Microsoft Word files open in iWorks?

Recently upgraded my MacBookPro . . . On my old one I used Microsoft Word for word processing. if I install iWorks, will I be able to open my old Word files in it?

Yes.
(71558)

Since upgrading to OSX Yosemite cannot open word files downloaded from email.

I have recently installed OSX Yosemite on my late 2010 macbook air. Since upgrading I have been unable to open files in Word that I have downloaded from my email. Old word files seem to work fine. My university has given faculty access to "Office 365" and that is what I use for my email. However whenever I try and download a word file from my email the computer opens word for a second - I can see the first page of the document - and then immediately closes. This happens regardless of whether or not I open the file from my computer in my desktop or in my downloads folder, or just download another copy from my email. The word file works fine on another windows computer, it's only on this mac that Office 2011 crashes every time I try and open this new file. Please advise?

A web site for the community I live in. I can get into the site but when I try to open a PDF file all I get is a grey screen. I can open PDF files from mail, and other sites.

Opening RTF file in Farsi characters/words are missing

In opening an RTF file written in Farsi - or English and Farsi - many of the letters/words are missing. If I open the file up in Microsoft Word for Mac the words are there, although left-to-right rather right-to-left. (Again Microsoft screws with us as Microsoft Word on Windows will do the right-to-left.)
The same missing letters/words are found in TextEdit.
Interestingly enough OpenOffice opens the file right-to-left with all of the words/characters there.
I did take this problem to a Apple Genius at an Apple Store yesterday and he confirmed it's a software problem.
My question is when will it be fixed and does it affect other right-to-left non-standard character sets like Hebrew.
Thanks. Rick

Rick Good wrote:
In opening an RTF file written in Farsi - or English and Farsi - many of the letters/words are missing. If I open the file up in Microsoft Word for Mac the words are there, although left-to-right rather right-to-left. (Again Microsoft screws with us as Microsoft Word on Windows will do the right-to-left.)
MsWord for Mac is pretty useless for multilingual support especially RtoL.
The same missing letters/words are found in TextEdit.
Did you export as Unicode text from MsWord for Windows, which has excellent RtoL support? See if .doc works.
Interestingly enough OpenOffice opens the file right-to-left with all of the words/characters there.
I did take this problem to a Apple Genius at an Apple Store yesterday and he confirmed it's a software problem.
My question is when will it be fixed and does it affect other right-to-left non-standard character sets like Hebrew.
Good question, all RtoL text in OSX is practically unworkable, especially when trying to edit it and any English text within RtoL. This is something I have been "offering feedback" to Apple since OSX came out supposedly with full Unicode and multi-lingual support. 10 years ago!
Right up to OSX 10.2.3 I was frankly misled by Apple (not allowed to use the 3 letter word here) who made out that I was doing something wrong (what an unusual approach by Apple!). Even then I did not get the truth from Apple but from a sympathetic developer.
Meanwhile it ruined my reputation with a few key clients and cost me a motza on the jobs I was doing for them.
The only working RtoL support you are going to get in OSX is [Mellel|http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/8712/mellel] . But my recommendation is to stick to MsWord on Windows where you will be able to do more in the way of layout.
Peter

I purchased the package that allows you to export PDF files into Word files. Whenever I try to export the PDF into a Word file it never works... I don't know if there's something key that I'm missing but I'm pretty bummed I paid for it and it won't work

I purchased the package that allows you to export PDF files into Word files. Whenever I try to export the PDF into a Word file it never works... I don't know if there's something key that I'm missing but I'm pretty bummed I paid for it and it won't work. Can anybody help me out?

Hello,
I have paid for this service for a year and it never worked on my computer. I just renewed and it finally converted the file but it will not let me edit it. I join you in being bummed. Either I get help with this or I am asking for a 2 year refund. My intention was to be able to edit a pdf in MS Word.
pfierrorob

I recently switched from years of PC to iMac ( OSX 10.7.5) and need to batch convert thousands of old WordPerfect files (many without an apparent file extension) into my new Microsoft 2011 Word. I am a computer nitwit and am hoping for some simple sol'n.

I recently switched from years of PC to iMac ( OSX 10.7.5) and need to batch convert thousands of old WordPerfect files (many without an apparent file extension) into my new Microsoft 2011 Word. I am a computer nitwit and am hoping for some simple solution.

Try reindexing the mailbox. This can take awhile if you have a lot of mail.
Reindex messages.
If that doesn't work try deleting MessageUidsAlreadyDownloaded3.
Quit the application.
You need to look in your user Library. Either hold down the option key while using the Finder “Go To Folder” command and select your user Library in your home folder or use the Finder “Go To Folder” command and enter ~/Library/Mail/V2/Mail Data/MessageUidsAlreadyDownloaded3. Move the file to your desktop.
Open the application and test. If it works okay, delete the file from the desktop.
If the application is the same, return thefile to where you got it from, overwriting the newer ones.
If you prefer to make your User library permanently visible, use the Terminal command found below.
Show User Library
You might want to bookmark the command. I had to use it again after I installed 10.8.5. I have also been informed that if you drag the user library to Finder it will remain visible.

New MS Word won't open old MS Word files

We've got a new MacBook Pro, running Lion, with MS Word 2011 for Mac. We've just copied over our old MS Word (Mac) files, with the .doc file ending. I think the files were created in MS Word 2004, some files even ealier than this. The new MS Word 2011 (which we've updated) will open the old files. We have to open the file in Word using "recover text from any file" --- but they loose all their formatting.
How can we open the files and not loose the formatting?
Thank you
Mark

Sparky Marky wrote:
That's interesting. How do you do it?
Are you using Lion? Do you have to open the files within Word (you can't double click on them)? And do you have to open the files within Word by using "recover text from any file" option? I presume your old files have .doc ending, or have you changed this?
Thanks for any guidance
Yes using Lion on Mac and both Win 7 Pro and XP Pro on PC hardware. On PCs I have Office 2000 installed, yes even in Win 7 (and Win 8 Preview, Office 2000 installed without a problem). On Mac I have Office 2011 Mac, and all updates.
As far as the files they are all in a folder called My Documents on both systems. I change/edit or create files on either system then I use a Sync program to sync the My Docs folder between all PCs and Mac. If I'n sitting at one of the PCs and need to open any doc I just open it, word opens and loads the file. Same for if I'm sitting at the Mac. I have Word files that were created on Word 95 (or whatever that was called) Word 98 and now 2000 and Mac 2011.
Never had any problems. Even if by accident I save a file in the new DOCX format on the Mac. I have the Document converter program installed on the PCs that only have Office 2000 installed.
Sorry I don't have any real tips for you as mine Just Works, both Windows and Mac.

I've just bought a new mac and I want to transfer the content from my old Macbook to my new. If I have iCloud enabled on both devices, is this simple, or is there a limit to what I can transfer? For example, can I upload word files to iCloud?

I've just bought a new mac and I want to transfer the content from my old Macbook to my new. If I have iCloud enabled on both devices, is this simple, or is there a limit to what I can transfer? For example, can I upload word files to iCloud?

iCloud is not the way to do this. You should use Migration Assistant - with this you can transfer your complete User folder from the old Mac including preferences and logins. You will need to connect the two with FireWire or USB depending on the models.
Ideally you should do this before you set up the new Mac - if you create a user account with the same name than the Migration will have to give the migrated user folder a different name. When you first switch on the new Mac it should ask you if you want to transfer your data, and give you instructions.

Old word files missing

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