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
    2019-11-26T01:22:06+00:00

    Thanks for this. Definitely a help.

    Jeff

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-11-25T23:54:14+00:00

    Hi jondthompson,

    We are investigating with more resources about this behavior. Please allow us more time for that. When we get any update, we will post back as soon as possible.

    We greatly appreciate your time and understanding.

    Best regards,

    Madoc

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-11-25T16:03:57+00:00

    Responses are inline...

    1. After running this script, will the affected Word document be occasionally invisible?

    It appears to occur while saving existing documents. New documents don't seem to have this problem.

    1. If the issue still happens by chance, as we don't have a macOS server environment, we would like to suggest you join Office for Mac Insider Fast to get a newer version of Office to check if the problem persists.

    I have not tested, but it's very likely that any Mac sharing files via SMB would be affected. I'm not about to use a beta version with users in production.

    1. When did this issue occur? Like it happens after you updated Office or after updating the macOS server.

    Updating Office only.

    4. Are other Office applications such as Excel and PowerPoint affected?

    I cannot speak to this.

    Appreciate your understanding.

    Best regards,

    Madoc 

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-11-25T15:18:12+00:00

    Hi Anarvey,

    Thanks for sharing the workaround with us that benefit other members.

    Regarding this issue, there're some points I'd like to confirm with you:

    1. After running this script, will the affected Word document be occasionally invisible?

    1. If the issue still happens by chance, as we don't have a macOS server environment, we would like to suggest you join Office for Mac Insider Fast to get a newer version of Office to check if the problem persists.
    2. When did this issue occur? Like it happens after you updated Office or after updating the macOS server.

    4. Are other Office applications such as Excel and PowerPoint affected?

    Appreciate your understanding.

    Best regards,

    Madoc

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    0 comments