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pritcharddesign's avatar
pritcharddesign
Copper Contributor
Jun 22, 2024

Runtime error 6 overflow in word Mac

I'm on a Mac Sonoma 14.1 using Word 16.86.

For about the past week when I open a Word doc I get an error message: Runtime error '6' Overflow.

Any thoughts on why and how to stop it? 

thx

  • HarperWhite's avatar
    HarperWhite
    Iron Contributor

    1. Fix It Now Program
     Clear Word cache
    bash
    # Execute in the terminal:
    rm -rf ~/Library/Group\ Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/Word
    killall “Microsoft Word”
    2. Reset Word Preferences
    Close all Office applications
    Execute:
    bash
    defaults delete com.microsoft.Word
    3. In-depth troubleshooting steps
     Check document compatibility
    In Word, click “File” → “Export” → select “Word 97-2004 Document (.doc)”:
    Click “File” → “Export” → select “Word 97-2004 Document (.doc)”.
    Re-open the document in the old format to test
    4. Disable add-ons
    bash
    # Temporarily disable all COM add-ons.
    defaults write com.microsoft.Word DisableAddins -bool true
    5. Critical system fixes
     NET Framework update (via Mono)
    bash
    brew install mono
    sudo installer -pkg /Library/Frameworks/Mono.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/mono.pkg -target /
    6. Fix the font cache
    bash
    # Rebuild the font cache
    atsutil databases -removeUser && atsutil server -shutdown && atsutil server -ping
    7. Advanced Solutions
    Create a diagnostic report
    bash
    # Generate Word error logs
    log show --predicate 'process == “Microsoft Word”' --last 1h --debug > ~/word_crash.log
    Checking the EXC_CRASH (SIGABRT) field in the logs
    8. Calculate stack size manually
    If the document contains complex formulas:
    bash
    # Increase Word memory allocation (SIP needs to be turned off)
    sudo nvram boot-args="vm_compressor=2”
    9. Ultimate reinstallation program
    Uninstall Office completely:
    bash
    sudo /Library/Application\ Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0/Microsoft\ AutoUpdate.app/Contents/MacOS/OfficeRemover
    10. Fresh Installation:
    Download the standalone installer:
    bash
    curl -O https://officecdn.microsoft.com/pr/C1297A47-86C4-4C1F-97FA-950631F94777/MacAutoupdate/Microsoft_Office_16.70.23051201_ Installer.pkg
    11. Install:
    bash
    sudo installer -pkg Microsoft_Office_*.pkg -target /

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