Word 2008 crashes when using AutoShapes

[word-mac-user]

Word 2008 version 12.2.4 (100205)
OSX version 10.6.3
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz, 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3

When using AutoShapes, Word frequently crashes whenever I try to move around
the shapes I have added to the document. Basically I get the spinning disk
from which Word never returns and I have to do "Force Quit".

Any idea how can I fix this? I have checked for updates but there are none
and I am not able to find similar issues reported anywhere.

Thanks,

 

[John McGhie]

That indicates that the document is corrupt.

As you have discovered, you need to work slowly and carefully when moving
complex objects, because they provide a very severe test of the Word
application. If the slightest thing is wrong with the document, down Word
will go.

You could try a Maggie:

The Maggie:

1. Create a new blank document
2. Carefully select all of the text in the bad document EXCEPT the last
paragraph mark
3. Copy it.
4. Paste in the new document.
5. Save under a new file name and close all, then re-open.

This technique for de-corrupting is known as "Doing a 'Maggie'", after
Margaret Secara from the TECHWR-L mailing list, who first publicised the
technique.

Hope this helps

Word 2008 version 12.2.4 (100205)
OSX version 10.6.3
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz, 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3

When using AutoShapes, Word frequently crashes whenever I try to move around
the shapes I have added to the document. Basically I get the spinning disk
from which Word never returns and I have to do "Force Quit".

Any idea how can I fix this? I have checked for updates but there are none
and I am not able to find similar issues reported anywhere.

Thanks,

--

The email below is my business email -- Please do not email me about forum
matters unless I ask you to; or unless you intend to pay!

John McGhie, Microsoft MVP (Word, Mac Word), Consultant Technical Writer,
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
Sydney, Australia. | Ph: +61 (0)4 1209 1410 | mailto:[email protected]

 

[CyberTaz]

Try running Disk Utility - Repair disk Permissions followed by a shut down &
wait a minute or two before starting up. That alone may correct the issue.

If it continues;

Is the problem with *all* documents -- including new blank ones -- or is it
only in certain ones?

Does it happen only in Word or are PPT & Excel affected as well?

Does it occur if you hold Shift while launching Word? What if you log out &
hold Shift while logging in?

Does it happen if you log in using a different User Account?

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[heather]

I have the same problem with Word, but it happens EVERY time, not just
sometimes, even with blank documents. Basically, as soon as I click
on Insert... autoshape, it freezes.

I've tried the suggestions below. Any further ideas? Do you know if
they're working on a fix for this?
Thanks for the advice...
hw