Windows Docx files not opening in Office 2008

[XnavxeMiyyep]

My girlfriend recently got a new Macbook, and when she emailed herself some .docx files from her PC, they refused to open in Office 2008, with an error that says something like "unknown error 2". They open in TextEdit, but none of the math expressions show up. Is it a known problem that Office 2008 can't open Docx files that have expressions in them? Will she have to use BootCamp to remedy this problem?

 

[Blue Velvet]

Math expressions? The document doesn't use specialised characters, does it? If so, you may need the font. If not, you may have to enable Unicode Hex Input or something similar in System Preferences>International>Input Menu.

More info, please.

 

[XnavxeMiyyep]

Ok, I'm at her computer.

When trying to open one of the files, Final Report.docx, the Opening "Final Report.docx" bar progresses to around 50%. Then another window pops up, and says:
The Open XML file Macintosh HD:....:Final Report.docx cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents.

Details
Unspecified error
Location: 2

When I open the file in Text Edit, it opens, but there are gaps where there were equations made with Microsoft Office 2007's Microsoft Equation editor. Office 2008 does seem to have a Microsoft Equation editor in it.

Docx files that do not have equations from the Microsoft Equation editor open perfectly in Word 2008 and xlsx files open perfectly in Excel 2008.

 

[rtpub]

Ok, I'm at her computer.

When trying to open one of the files, Final Report.docx, the Opening "Final Report.docx" bar progresses to around 50%. Then another window pops up, and says:
The Open XML file Macintosh HD:....:Final Report.docx cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents.

Details
Unspecified error
Location: 2

When I open the file in Text Edit, it opens, but there are gaps where there were equations made with Microsoft Office 2007's Microsoft Equation editor. Office 2008 does seem to have a Microsoft Equation editor in it.

Docx files that do not have equations from the Microsoft Equation editor open perfectly in Word 2008 and xlsx files open perfectly in Excel 2008.

Was the Equation Editor in the default installation of Office 2008 for Mac or it has to be turned on prior the installation?

 

[Michael CM1]

Save the files as .doc instead of .docx. Whoever decided to come up with the .docx format at Microsoft should be shot in the face. We don't have Office at work and these coaches will e-mail us effin' documents in .docx and the new spreadsheet format. The only way I have opened these files is through some converter I found on a Web site.

 

[drichards]

You could always open them thru office.live.com...

 

[dhd]

Maybe you can try OpenOffice 3 for mac?. if I'm not wrong it can open docx files and it has a Equation editor as part of the Suite. Check it in www.openoffice.org

Hope it helps,

 

[XnavxeMiyyep]

Okay, I will suggest that she try OpenOffice. Still not sure why they don't work since she has equation editor and Office 2008 opens other docx files, but whatever. If OO still has problems, then I guess she'll have to stick to Parlallels.

 

[dhd]

Good luck!!!. I think that ultimately the reason why it doesn't work is that the MS Office Suite for Mac doesn't have all the functions the MS one has...someone correct if I'm wrong.

I don't use math formulas, but for my modest office needs, I'm more than covered by OO, plus is free, and there is only a full version, not different ones with more or less functions according with its price.

 

[nadyne]

Word 2008 should be able to open equations created in Word 2007. Is there any way at all that I could get a copy of the file so that I can pass it along to the engineering team so that they can see if there's a bug happening here? PM me for my email address.

Regards,
Nadyne.