"The file cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents."

Anonymous
2009-12-06T19:30:50+00:00

I've been using Word 2007 for months now with no problem, and suddenly when I try to open a .docx file, it says "The file cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents."

I searched for the same error and tried whatever I found. I downloaded the service packs to see if that would work and it didn't. I tried opening the files in "open and repair," but it won't select "open and repair." When I select it, it gives me the blue loading circle in place of the usual mouse arrow, but then Office Word 2007 becomes non responsive.

I'm using Vista with the original install of Microsoft Office Word 2007, if that's relevant.

I'd be willing to try just about anything. These files include my college application essays and scholarship applications that are due this week. If anyone would like to help me overcome Murphy's Law, I'd sincerely appreciate it.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2011-06-01T10:37:39+00:00

I had the same issue and I found one possible solution: Gmail. I sent the corrupted file to my Gmail account and opened the attachment using Gmail's own viewer. First it reported "Sorry, we are unable to generate a view of the document at this time. Alternatively, you can view the plain HTML (automatically redirecting)." When you select the HTML version the file opens.

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Anonymous
2009-12-06T23:35:30+00:00

There are a number of Word recovery / repair third party tool listed on google, some of which are try before you pay

I dont suppose you had configured Word to keep a backup copy?

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-11-27T11:12:31+00:00

    Thank you! This helped a lot!

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-24T19:59:21+00:00

    I had this same problem on Word 2010.  I managed to find the problem and the solution.  In my office, my boss loves Word Perfect X5, and it drives me nuts because I hate WP and every other person we do work with uses Word.  Nevertheless he insists on using it, and when he opens files, he navigates to the file using WP instead of file explorer.  So, when he opens a word doc, it opens in WP.  

    WP is designed to work with .doc and .docx files, but when you edit the word doc in WP and then save the file, it corrupts the file, and word cannot open the doc.  What you have to do is open the doc in WP (which it will) and then extract the text and re-save the doc in word (or WP).

    It took me a while to figure this out, and I bet other word processors that open and edit word docs will end up corrupting the document as well, so keep an eye on that.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-11T15:40:43+00:00

    I had this problem when going from working on Word 2003 at work to word 2007 at home. My college coverted it to the later version and now it works again! I hope this helps!

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