A window pops up "runtime error" in Word, what is this?

[Busy Office Manager]

I have downloaded a number of locked templates with fill in's. When I try to
pull one up in Word a window pops up, "runtime error", and then I can not
access the template. What is this? How can I fix this?

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Your document is protected for forms and contains FILLIN fields? I can't see
how that would work.

 

[Busy Office Manager]

This is a form used in real estate transactions. Parts of the preprinted
portions are Locked, where other parts of the form that require square
footage, address, etc., items applicable to real estate transactions, have
fill-ins for us to use. This is really not the issue. The question was
relating primairly to the fact that a runtime error occurs when I try and
access a template. What does this error message mean?

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

To clarify, are these FILLIN or FORMTEXT fields? As for runtime errors,
here's what Office MVP Beth Melton has written about them:

A "runtime" error means that there is an error in a macro or add-in that is
attempting to run. Typically these macros are created by a third-party and
are not part of the Word installation. (They could also be caused by a
malfunctioning macro virus as well)

Many third-party applications will create an add-in and place it in the
Office\Startup folder or use a COM add-in (DLL) to integrate their software
with Word. Another common add-in, the "Microsoft Works Suite Add-in for
Word" can only be found in your Add/Remove programs list.

Aside from the Works Suite Add-in, to determine if you have any add-ins you
can check for them using the following:

Go to Tools/Templates and Add-Ins and see if there are any global templates
or add-ins listed. If you find any then chances are they are located in
your Office\Startup folder or Word\Startup folder.

The location of the Word\Startup folder can be found under
Tools/Options/File Locations and the Office\Startup folder will be located
in the installation path for Office.

If you find more than one add-in move them one at a time until you
determine which one is causing the problem.

As of Word 2000, Word can have COM add-ins, those that are added in via the
Registry rather than the Startup folders. To check for COM add-ins add the
"COM Add-In" command to your toolbar.

- Right-click any toolbar and select Customize
- On the Commands tab, select the Tools category
- Locate COM Add-Ins on the right
- Drag/Drop to a location of your choice

For more information on COM Add-Ins, see this article:
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/Customization/CheckIfAddinsInstalled.htm

 

[bunty]

Well, before moving to the addins part, I will suggest you to try
opening word by clicking on Start > Run and type winword /a. Hit Ok

If it works then try to follow the steps below:
1. Click on Start > Run and type %appdata%
2. Hit ok and open the Microsoft folder
3. Then open the Templates folder and rename the file named there as
normal or normal.dot to oldnormal or oldnormal.dot
4. Try opening word

If the above steps do not work then try the steps suggested by suzanne
as they are perfect