Can not open Word files across network

[3587]

The Microsoft forums have been no help and since I own a Mac Pro, maybe there are some Pro users with the same issue...

I have a MacBook Pro that I am trying to access Office documents on my Mac Pro (and vice versa) via the wireless network. Whenever I go to open a document, it says the file path is incorrect. However, it is not. It never did this with Office 2008, just 2011. I have the student edition and was told that it could be installed on my desktop and one laptop, why won't it work?

The Microsoft forum:
http://www.officeformac.com/ms/ProductForums/Word/12463/0

 

[ActionableMango]

I have seen this problem before where the network path was too long. A simple way to test this is to move one of the files to a network location with a short path. If the test works, you need to shorten the path by moving the files. Alternatively, creating a symbolic link might work.

If the path is already short, then sorry, I don't know what the problem is.

 

[goMac]

Microsoft Office has typically been buggy when opening documents from a network path. Copy it to your local machine.

(Office X was the worst at this, but it had been getting better over the years.)

 

[3587]

I would like to avoid the copying, changing, then copying back of each file... I have all my files on the Mac Pro that I would like to access from other devices, make changes, and save it right where it is at. For being such a large/expensive product, one would think that they would look at making sure their files work over a network. Unreal.

I'll try the shortening up of the path and see how that works out... What is too long do you think?

 

[ActionableMango]

I'll try the shortening up of the path and see how that works out... What is too long do you think?

I don't know. I'd try a quick test with one file before doing anything drastic. Although it's a problem I've experienced, the length might not be your issue.

 

[3587]

Just tried moving an "Assignment" .doc to the "Macintosh HD" of my networked drive. Still won't open it up. How do you fix the permissions to allow this? PDF and .txt files open just fine across the network.