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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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 !

Was this answer helpful?

8 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

42 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. 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

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. 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

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-12-16T14:00:34+00:00

    Hi All,

    Thanks for the updates to let us know that the issue persists in 16.32. As the related team requires a reproduce video for further investigation, can you provide us a video when you have time? We will appreciate that!

    Regards,

    Rena

    Hi,

    Here are two movies which show strange behavior over an SMB share and locally. Note that the "invisible file" problem did not occur as it's often, but sporadic/inconsistent. But you'll see strange  behavior in both these cases just the same, so maybe it's related and/or can help.

    Word Saving Locally

    Word Saving Over SMB

    (Sorry about the clicks and any sighs; I forgot to turn the mic off ... hey it's Monday).

    Thanks,

    Jeff

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2019-12-16T02:22:36+00:00

    We're seeing it with macOS Server 10.11, too.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments