WD: Error Message: “Wizard Cannot Use the Active Document

ID: Q122753

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a

SYMPTOMS

After you create a new document based on a template created with one of the following wizards

   Agenda Wizard
   Fax Wizard
   Table Wizard

the error message below is displayed:

   The wizard cannot use the active document. To run the wizard, choose New
   from the File menu and select the <wizard name> wizard

You may then also receive some of the error messages listed below.

Agenda Wizard

If the template is based on the Agenda Wizard, after you choose OK, you receive the following error in Word for Windows:
```
      The wizard cannot continue because an error has occurred (500).
```
In Word for Windows NT, you receive the following error after you choose OK:
```
      WordBasic Err=500
      Cannot Initiate Link.
```

NOTE: In Word for the Macintosh, you do not receive a second error message.

Fax Wizard

If the template is based on the Fax Wizard, you receive the following error message in Word for Windows and Word for Windows NT:
```
      The wizard cannot continue because an error has occurred (509)
```

In Word for the Macintosh, you receive the following error:

      WordBasic Err=509
      The Edit SelectAll command is not available because
      the document is a protected document.

Table Wizard

If the template is based on the Table Wizard, you receive the following error in Word for Windows, Word for Windows NT, and Word for the Macintosh:

      The wizard cannot use the active document. To insert a table with
      this wizard, choose Insert Table from the Table menu and push the
      Wizard button. To create a new document, choose New from the File
      menu and select Table Wizard.

CAUSE

These errors occur when the AutoNew and StartWizard macros are retained in the new template.

RESOLUTION

Method 1:

Delete the AutoNew and StartWizard macros from your new template. To do this, choose Macro from the Tools menu. Select the macro and choose the Delete button.

Method 2:

First create a document based on the selected Wizard. Then save this document as a template. The AutoNew and StartWizard macros are not retained in the new template.

Additional query words: 7.0 wizard error wordbasic err 500 509 err msg 8.0 8.00

Keywords          : kberrmsg kbtemplate wordnt word8 winword ntword macword word6 word7 word95 
Version           : WINDOWS: 6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; MACINTOSH: 6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: December 18, 1998