2021 iMac - Will not open MS Word (Word cannot load the OLE 2.0 or Docfile libraries

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2021 iMac - Will not open MS Word (Word cannot load the OLE 2.0 or Docfile libraries

Hello

I am trying to help my brother in law remotely with his new 2021iMac 24" he had last week. I did the initial install with him and all was working. All he had to do was to install a few apps. One of them is Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac. He has been able to install but unable to open Word as has error - Word cannot load the OLE 2.0 or Docfile libraries.

I have talked him through the Microsoft support page, uninstalled the apps and clear various files in Library but nothing working. I know this is a Microsoft question but didn't not know if any else had experienced the same problem.

Many thanks

Matt

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Aug 3, 2021 1:09 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

FoxFifth

Level 10

471,669 points

Aug 3, 2021 1:20 PM in response to AppleMacCider

You may want to also check the Microsoft Word for Mac forum: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/msoffice_word-mso_mac?sort=LastReplyDate&dir=Desc&tab=All&status=all&mod=&modAge=&advFil=&postedAfter=&postedBefore=&threadType=all&isFilterExpanded=false&page=1

I just looked briefly and there are several reports. Just one of which is the following: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/on-mac-office-365-word-cannot-load-the-ole-20-or/4f7e8977-463e-4627-a01f-fd3d59537a8e

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Answer 2

Aug 3, 2021 1:28 PM in response to FoxFifth

Hi FoxFifth

Thanks for your quick reply. The second link does talk about the problem, but it was resolved due to a full hard drive? My Brother in Law has just got a brand new iMac last week and the SSD is not even 25% full. All the other office apps like Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote etc all open up, but word on its on won't . Very strange.

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Answer 3

FoxFifth

Level 10

471,669 points

Aug 3, 2021 1:34 PM in response to AppleMacCider

Use the following link from my first reply https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/msoffice_word-mso_mac?sort=LastReplyDate&dir=Desc&tab=All&status=all&mod=&modAge=&advFil=&postedAfter=&postedBefore=&threadType=All&isFilterExpanded=false&page=1

and check for other discussions of the same problem. There are a number of them that I didn't look at and they may have other reasons and solutions.

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Answer 4

Aug 6, 2021 12:10 AM in response to AppleMacCider

In the end I contacted Microsoft through Live Chat and they were still unable to resolve. They said I had tried everything they would have asked me to do. Now arranging for them to remote access the iMac and for them to try and resolve remotely.

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,320 points

Aug 6, 2021 9:02 AM in response to AppleMacCider

You may want to uninstall Word for Mac and then re-install and start over. Another possibility is to consider Office 365 which is web based and is always kept up-to-date. Finally, try an Office for Mac clone such as Libreoffice at https://www.libreoffice.org/

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Answer 6

samtenor

Level 4

1,744 points

Aug 6, 2021 11:32 AM in response to AppleMacCider

2019 Office -- was a stand-alone media or downloaded directly from MS website/App Store?

If he used old image to install the office - make sure to run the "update" (Auto-Updater).

The auto-updater can be found here: Microsoft AutoUpdate tool

Run few times of the updater, then try to fire up the office app - to see if it will make any difference.

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Answer 7

Aug 6, 2021 11:45 AM in response to FoxFifth

Thanks FoxFifth, rkaufmann87 and samtenor

I'm in the UK and getting through to Microsoft is only available through Live Chat, probably with many staff working from home. Microsoft tried to remote access my Brother in Law's iMac today whilst chatting through Live Chat with him. He is not very techie and just has a basic use of this Mac. Copying and pasting with a trackpad I now need to teach him when I am down their way. Anyway, I contacted Microsoft myself again this afternoon and what they have told me to do is to remove Office from Mac (version 19.4) and download from a link they provided version 16.4 from 12 months ago. If this works successfully, then to Office Updater to update the software. If not, then it's back to Microsoft. Office 365 my Brother in Law did consider but then he saw the Home and Student version for £120 which works out much cheaper if the product still has a 2/3 years shelf life left. Will be speaking to him in a few days and will let you know how I get on.

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Answer 8

Aug 10, 2021 12:16 PM in response to AppleMacCider

The saga continues. Microsoft have today accessed the iMac with remote access during a long 2.25 hour live chat. They are now scratching their heads as don't know what the problem is. They have now escalated the case now to their developers team.

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Answer 9

Aug 3, 2021 1:45 PM in response to FoxFifth

Thanks again. I've now send the filter headers at the top of the screen so now working my way through the options.

Matt

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Answer 10

FoxFifth

Level 10

471,669 points

Aug 6, 2021 8:55 AM in response to AppleMacCider

Good luck and let us know what they find.

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2021 iMac - Will not open MS Word (Word cannot load the OLE 2.0 or Docfile libraries

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