Word 16.31 turning server files invisible

Anonymous
2019-11-20T17:12:10+00:00

Microsoft Word 16.31 for macOS seems to be turning server files invisible.

This has been observed in mulitple locations with multiple Macs (macOS 10.13.16 and 10.14.6) saving to macOS Server 10.12.

The file's UNIX chflags bit is turned to "hidden" and to make it visible we have to find the file using "ls -la" and then "sudo chflags nohidden file/path.docx?" to fix the file and make it visible again.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2019-11-24T15:20:28+00:00

With help from Adam Berti or Berti Group we have found that this script can fix a folder or share's invisible word documents:

find basedir/ -name '*.docx' -exec chflags nohidden {} ;

Where "basedir/" is the full path to a server share (including the trailing slash)

Adding -print will list what is happening.

find basedir/ -name '*.docx' -exec chflags nohidden {} ; -print

But it would be far more helpful if Microsoft would just fix Word 16.31 !

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-12-19T19:39:45+00:00

    Thanks. Unfortunately, as it's inconsistent there is no way to record a file in the act of disappearing without running screen recorders full-time on all computer and wait. Best I can do is, when a file goes invisible, get you the file and/or whatever logs  you need if they'll help.

    Thanks,

    Jeff

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-12-18T15:47:39+00:00

    Hi Jeff,

    Thanks for the reply. I checked the new video, it does shows a file for a second then it will disappear quickly. But this kind of file seems like a temporary file when Office tries to save as a copy, and when the save action completes, it then automatically removed so it looks like disappears. But it seems it doesn’t affect anything. In the video, I see you have saved Document/Document2/Document3.

    Additionally, after unticking the “always save backup” option, something really has been changed. Before ticking that, you will see a real copy of file version saved locally. After disabling this option, it only shows a temporary file for a second.

    However, this problem is not the very same issue in this thread. This original thread is that the real saved file can’t be visible on server. Considering they are in different scenarios, if you still have concern about the temporary file, I can split the question for you and we will continue involve more resource to check that behavior for you separately. We appreciate any reported problems from all of you.

    Regards,

    Rena

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-12-17T19:16:46+00:00

    Hi,

    Here's another video with the backup copy turned off.

    Backup Option Off

    Still no file(s) becoming invisible, but the gibberish folder does show up for a second and the document that won't save issue is still there.

    This is over an SMB share (where 99% of our files reside).

    Yes, the vanishing file problem seems to be random and I have not yet found a pattern (different users, different share points, different directories). So far I think it's only over network shares, but that's not conclusive as we quite deliberately work off our servers the vast majority of the time so I have almost no occasions of users working locally. While the "find basedir..." workaround is helpful, I have mostly been applying the fix I mentioned earlier (show hidden files, drag into a new outlook message, drag back out. re-hide hidden files); it consistently works, and I can usually walk users through it if one of us is out of the office. 

    Thanks,

    Jeff

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-12-16T15:20:58+00:00

    Hi Jeff，

    Really appreciate your effort and time to provide us the videos.

    For the video of saving a file to desktop, you can see backup folder and files, please go to preferences > save > untick the Always create backup copy.

    This should not the same problem about the invisible files. So, does that mean the issue only happens randomly? But we do need the video for further troubleshooting.

    Regards,

    Rena

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