Can't add pictures as new bullets in MS Word. Bad Request-Request too long

Anonymous
2024-01-27T20:46:13+00:00

When I try to add pictures to define a new bullet it shows "Bad Request - Request too long / HTTP Error 400. The size of the request headers is too long."

It doesn't matter if I do it from the bullet button in the ribbon, or defining a new list style. I don't have that problem when adding a regular picture or even icons.

I've tried:

  1. Deleting the ListGal.dat file as suggested in another post
  2. Replacing the Normal.dot global template file as suggested in the same post
  3. Clearing the officefilecache folder
  4. Going offline (the same window appears but blank)
  5. Repairing through the Windows repair option

I'm on Windows 11, using the desktop app. I was using MS Word version 2312 (Build 17126.20132), and just before writing this post I checked for updates again (I had already tried a few days back with no success) and it actually updated to Version 2401 (Build 17231.20084). I opened Word the Bad Request didn't appear. I opened a new file and tried again and the message came up again!

I hope I gave enough information!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-05-24T03:19:56+00:00

    YES! this works - been trying to create new nested bullet list with custom icons.

    I had tried all other fixes supplied over the last 6 months - fingers crossed it stays fixed.

    Thank you

    I encountered the same issue yesterday and found a solution in this thread (reply from Warren Knape):

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/what-would-cause-http-error-400-when-trying-to/1726c8f6-fb2d-445a-82f4-5ea444ac6373

    Here is what worked for me:

    1. Close all Word documents
    2. Navigate to *%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Office\16.0* -> rename the "Wef" folder to "Wef_old"
    3. Re-open the Word document and try again

    (4. If this doesn't help, consider clearing the Office cache)

    I hope this helps you too.

    This worked for me. Thanks!

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-05-24T02:46:35+00:00

    I encountered the same issue yesterday and found a solution in this thread (reply from Warren Knape):

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/what-would-cause-http-error-400-when-trying-to/1726c8f6-fb2d-445a-82f4-5ea444ac6373

    Here is what worked for me:

    1. Close all Word documents
    2. Navigate to *%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Office\16.0* -> rename the "Wef" folder to "Wef_old"
    3. Re-open the Word document and try again

    (4. If this doesn't help, consider clearing the Office cache)

    I hope this helps you too.

    This worked for me. Thanks!

    Was this answer helpful?

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  4. Suzanne S Barnhill 279.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2024-05-20T21:46:01+00:00

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  5. Suzanne S Barnhill 279.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2024-05-19T01:35:38+00:00

    No, this really is unacceptable.

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