Error Message: The Document Is Too Large for Word to Handle

ID: Q92594

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, and 2.0b

SYMPTOMS

In a Word for Windows document, if you are in outline view and reference a bookmark located at least seven levels deep that is formatted for auto update, legal format outline numbering, the following error message occurs:

   The document is too large for Word to handle.

This error occurs regardless of the location of the bookmark reference, as long as the location and formatting of the bookmark itself matches the above description.

This problem occurs only under the specific conditions described above. It does not occur when you use a different numbering format.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the versions of Microsoft Word for Windows listed above. This problem was corrected in Word version 6.0 for Windows.

To obtain new or updated Microsoft products, call the Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-9400. If you are outside the United States, contact the Microsoft subsidiary for your area. To locate your subsidiary, call Microsoft International Customer Service at (425) 936-8661.

MORE INFORMATION

After the above error message occurs, any or all of the following error messages may appear. In all cases, Word for Windows terminates. Sometimes the system stops responding (hangs), which forces you to restart (reboot) your computer.

Unrecoverable disk error on file rosoft Word 2.0.
NOTE: The word "rosoft" is a truncation of the word "Microsoft."
There is an unrecoverable disk error on file.

An error has occurred in your application. If you choose to Ignore, you should save your work in a new file. If you choose to close, your application will terminate.

    Note: If you choose the Ignore button, the same error message returns.
    If you choose the Close button, the following error message occurs:

       MS Word caused a general protection Fault in module WINWORD.EXE at
       XXXX:XXXX

    When you choose the Close button, the application terminates. You
    should quit and restart Windows to prevent further application errors.

WORKAROUND

In the Bullets And Numbering dialog box, clear the Auto Update check box. This prevents the above error messages from occurring when you reference the bookmark.

KBCategory: kbother KBSubcategory: Additional query words: 2.0 2.0a 2.0b errmsg err msg winword crash lock locked crashed hung hang reboot re-boot gp fault gpf win31 winword2

Last Reviewed: October 8, 1997