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
    2020-06-16T13:08:08+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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  2. 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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  3. Anonymous
    2020-04-30T15:52:24+00:00

    Update: I still see it happening in Word 16.36 20041300 on Mojave 10.14.6

    Share is on High Sierra 10.13.6 via SMB and accessed through VPN tunnel

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-01-21T14:21:05+00:00

    Rena,

    It appears someone was able to figure it out because the latest patch does fix the issue on every machine we've tested on. Thanks!

    Alec

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