Forum Discussion
Word corruption
I am using Microsoft 365 on Mac running Tahoe 26.3.1.
I downloaded a Google document from a client as a .docx Word document. This is something I do often. My client is also using a Mac.
The Word document has corruptions in it, full lines of text are appearing as lines (like a barcode) and there seem to be letters and symbols stacked up on top of each other. Screenshots attached.
I have tried saving as a .doc Word document but the corruptions are still there. If I select all of the text and change the font, the corruptions are still there. I copied the text into Text Edit and converted to plain text. The corruptions disappear in Text Edit but so does any text that was there, sentences are incomplete. If I copy and paste this plain text into a new Word document, the corruptions reappear. If I import the Plain Text into InDesign, the corruptions reappear. If I copy and paste the plain text into InDesign, the corruptions reappear. This strikes me as very odd because as far as I know Plain Text should remove any corruptions.
My client says that they see no corruptions in the Word doc or in the Plain Text doc that they created. But when they send these docs in email, the corruptions are still there.
I spent 4 hours with Microsoft Support yesterday trying to figure out the problem and when they couldn't figure it out, they just closed and left the chat....
I would love to let my client know what they can do to fix this on their end so that we can move forward with the project. Any suggestions are appreciated!
4 Replies
Unfortunately, I cannot. The document is copyrighted and embargoed.
As I wrote, you shouldn't share anything sensitive. Often, it is possible to create a "dummy" document just for illustration, though. The content doesn't matter to other forum contributors, as long as the issue is clearly demonstrated.
Unfortunately, it is a long document with corruptions throughout and I can't create a new document without the original text, because whatever is causing the corruptions would not necessarily be in it. The corruptions seem to be hiding actual text and I can't share any of my clients content.
But thank you for considering this.
I did notice that when I turn off the formatting marks, the corruptions disappear and the text appears normal, which is probably why my client did not notice them.
If anyone knows what would cause, this I would appreciate any information!
Are you able to share a sample document for illustration? That way, contributors here could take a closer look at your document. Of course, the version you share mustn't contain any personal or sensitive information.
Unfortunately, I cannot. The document is copyrighted and embargoed.
