WD: Word Err Msg Or Unable to Save a Word Document

• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, 5.0, 5.1, 6.0
• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

In Word for the Macintosh, you may receive a Save As dialog box that will not allow the file to be saved with the original file name.

In Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition, you may receive the following error message when you try to save the file:

   This file is read only.
   (Filename)

CAUSE

This problem may occur in any of the following situations:

• The file is locked in the Get Info window (from the Finder, click the file, and click Get Info on the File menu).
• The file is locked by the System. This problem usually occurs because the file was not reset correctly the last time the file was opened. This may be due to an unnatural shutdown of the Macintosh.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use any of the following methods.

Method 1: Unlocking the File in the Get Info Dialog Box

To unlock the file, do the following:

1. Quit Microsoft Word.

2. Click on the file, and from the File menu, choose Get Info.

3. Click the Locked option to turn it off.

Method 2: Unlocking the file By Restarting the Computer

If the file is locked because the Macintosh was shut down unexpectedly, restart the Macintosh by clicking Restart on the Special menu in the Finder.

Method 3: Saving the File with a New Name (Word 98 Macintosh Edition Only)

Click OK when you receive the Read-Only error message. The Save As dialog box will be displayed. You can change the name of the document and saved it with the new name.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about saving documents in Word for the Macintosh, see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q42059
   TITLE     : Cannot Save File (Save Button Unavailable)

   ARTICLE-ID: Q119287
   TITLE     :"Cannot Save or Create File" If Path More Than 255 Characters

   ARTICLE-ID: Q131642
   TITLE     : Word Error Message: "Word Cannot Save or Create This File"

   ARTICLE-ID: Q80469
   TITLE     : Word: Choosing Save or Save As Hangs Machine