Can't open Word File because of end tag/start tag mismatch error...need XML help!

Anonymous
2010-06-09T00:42:38+00:00

I get the following message when i try to open a word document that i desperately need

  The name in the end tag of the element must match the element type in the start tag

Location: Part: word/document.xml, Line: 2, Column: 96760

I know how to "unzip" the docx files and get to the main document.xml file, but i know nothing about xml programming. Any suggestions? i got an xml editor and found that there are 6 mismatch errors, but i don't know how to fix them. I also don't know how to rezip al the files back into a docx format. I would love any help. Thanks.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2011-04-25T16:26:25+00:00

You're welcome Catherine.

Going forward if you or anyone else comes across this issue again, we have a FixIt solution created that should address this problem.  You can go to the following KB article and it should give you the details about how you can correct these documents.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2528942

Brandon

Was this answer helpful?

5 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

528 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2011-04-20T20:13:19+00:00

    There are known problems with Word 2007/2010 and the Equation Editor.

    Some things to do:

    • BACKUP then BACKUPS SOME MORE!
    • Save sequentially named versions of the document.
    • Get the Rebuilder template mentioned above from here and learn to use it. It will fix most oMath errors.

    Some things not to do:

    • Work from email or a memory stick. If you want to work on a copy retained on a memory stick, copy it to the hard drive and work on it fromthere. Copy a final draft back to the memory stick only when you're sure it is not corrupt. Same goes for emailed attachments.
    • Work for long periods of time without closing Word and reopening your document to confirm its integrity.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2011-04-20T19:21:51+00:00

    Thank you SO much!!!

    Is there anything I should avoid or could do to avoid future instances? I'm only half way through and am worried about a repeat.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-04-20T19:17:27+00:00

    @Alain Vella,

    The repaired file is here. Look toward File in the top left corner for your download options.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2011-04-20T17:48:29+00:00

    Hi all, I'm ripping my hair out due to a problem file!!! Could anyone please please have a crack at it?

    Many thanks.

    http://uploading.com/files/4448be96/Lab%2B1.docx/

    alain

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments