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
    2020-06-16T12:51:09+00:00

    The issue is still happening on version 16.37. I am seeing it with dozens of users.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-06-16T13:08:08+00:00

    Us too. Seemed like it was resolved at first, but alas, no. Most users on 10.13.6. Seems more prevelent when working through a VPN (l2tp/ipsec), but still occasionally happens on LAN.

    Server is running on 10.12. Moving to a Synology DSM in a couple weeks; we'll see if that does anything.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-06-18T02:06:14+00:00

    Hi All,

    We tried to report the issue, but we need the reproduce video so that we can know how the issue looks like. If it's convenient, we will appreciate if you can provide us the video.

    In the meantime, you can also report it with the smiley face button within the app to show more impact.

    Regards,

    Rena

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-06-24T10:01:14+00:00

    I've encountered the same issue and seem to have found a (temporary) solution

    Office version 16.38

    Client Mac OS 10.15.5

    connecting through AFP/SMB (both encountered the issue) with a OSX server 10.15.5

    Issue:

    I create a new document in Word and try to save it to my network share but the file appears only for a split second to then disappear.

    Checking the network share I found that the file became invisible.

    Solution:

    • Uninstall Office from the client Mac

    • Download Office version 16.30 through Macadmins and install on client Mac

    I have been testing with version 16.30 and the issue seems to be resolved, the newly created documents now just appear as you'd expect.

    Hopefully this issue will be fixed in one of the following updates...

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