"Microsoft <program> cannot be opened because of a problem” error when you start an Office program

Article ID: 2431353 - View products that this article applies to.
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SYMPTOMS

When you try to start any Office for Mac applications (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Entourage, or Microsoft Outlook for Mac) in Mac OS X 10.6.x (Snow Leopard), you receive the following error message:

Microsoft <application_name> cannot be opened because of a problem.
Check with the developer to make sure Microsoft <application_name> works with this version of Mac OS X. You may need to reinstall the application. Be sure to install any available updates for the application and Mac OS X.

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CAUSE

This error occurs if the Office program was moved or duplicated.
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RESOLUTION

Step 1: Check the program path

When the error message is displayed, view the comments under "Problem Details and System Configuration." Note the "Path" that is listed in the error message, and then close the error message box. The path must be as follows:

Macintosh HD\Applications\Microsoft Office 2008

Macintosh HD\Applications\Microsoft Office 2011


If the path in the error message differs, you must move the application folder to its correction location. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Locate the Office 2008 folder.
  2. Click to select the folder.
  3. On the Finder menu, click Edit, and then select Copy Microsoft Office 2008 or Copy Microsoft Office 2011.
  4. On the Finder menu, click Go, and then select Applications.
  5. On the Finder menu, click Edit, and then select Paste the Item.
  6. Start the Office program to see whether the problem is resolved.

If the problem continues to occur, there might be duplicate entries.

Step 2: Delete duplicate entries


To delete duplicate entries, follow these steps:

  1. On the Finder menu, click File, and then click Find.
  2. In the search box, type the program name, and then press Enter. For example, type Excel.

  3. Collapse this imageExpand this image


    Collapse this imageExpand this image

  4. In the results, look for duplicate instances of the Excel icon. If there is only one icon, go to "step 3." If there are several Excel icons, select a duplicate icon. On the Finder menu, click File, and then select Move to Trash.
  5. Empty the Trash.
  6. Start the Office program. If the problem continues to occur, remove and then reinstall the Office program.

Step 3: Remove and then reinstall Office



Office 2011

To remove Office 2011, follow these steps:
  1. Quit all applications.
  2. In the Finder, click Go select Computer.
  3. Open your hard drive (Macintosh HD), then open the Application Folder.
  4. Click to select Microsoft Office 2011 drag and then drop it to the Trash.
  5. Reinstall Office for Mac 2011.

Office 2008

To remove Office 2008, follow these steps:
  1. Quits all applications.
  2. In the Finder, click Go, and then select Computer.
  3. Open Macintosh HD, then open the Applications folder.
  4. Open the Microsoft Office 2008 folder.
  5. Open the Additional Tools folder.
  6. Double-click the Remove Office file. The "Remove Office" window will open.
  7. Click Continue.
  8. Follow the directions that are provided.
  9. Reinstall Office 2008 on your computer.
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Properties

Article ID: 2431353 - Last Review: May 6, 2011 - Revision: 5.1
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Word 2008 for Mac
  • Microsoft Excel 2008 for Mac
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2008 for Mac
  • Microsoft Entourage 2008 for Mac
  • Microsoft Excel for Mac 2011
  • Microsoft Outlook for Mac 2011
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac 2011
  • Microsoft Word for Mac 2011
Keywords: 
KB2431353
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