WD97: Error Message: "The subdocument ...is missing"

ID: Q195135

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you try to open a master document, the following error message appears:

   The subdocument c:\<foldername>\<file name> is missing. Do you want
   to expand the master document without this subdocument?

If you click No, Word cancels the operation and does not open the master document. If you click Yes, Word opens the master document without the missing subdocument. You can then use the Insert Subdocument button on the Master Document toolbar to locate and reinsert the missing subdocument.

CAUSE

Word cannot find the subdocument if you move it to a different location relative to the master document, if the subdocument is located on a network drive that is no longer valid, or if you delete the subdocument file.

MORE INFORMATION

If you want to move subdocuments to a new location relative to the master document, refer to the instructions in the "Rename a subdocument" topic in Word Help.

When you move a master document, Word automatically searches for the subdocuments in a manner that is relative to the master document. This feature, which is by design, makes it easy for you to move an entire master document directory tree while preserving the subdocument references.

When you open a master document, Word searches for the subdocuments relative to the master document. In other words, if the subdocuments are in a subdirectory of the master document directory, Word looks for the subdocuments in the same subdirectory of the new master document location. The following table illustrates this search pattern.

                  If the former               Then Word automatically
                  location is:                searches here:
                  ---------------------------------------------------

   Master         C:\WORD 97\MASTER          F:\CATALOG\1993
   Subdocuments   C:\WORD 97\MASTER\SUBDOCS  F:\CATALOG\1993\SUBDOCS

                                               -then-

                                              C:\WORD 97\MASTER\SUBDOCS

If Word cannot find the subdocuments in the relative location, it searches in the original subdocument location (in this case, C:\WORD 97\MASTER\SUBDOCS). If Word still cannot find the subdocument, the "The subdocument is missing..." error message appears.

Additional query words: long docs books

Keywords          : kbdta word97 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: December 18, 1998