Microsoft office 2011 crashes with the error EXC_BAD_ACCESS in Mac

[Forrest Ranger]

I have been getting the strange behavior from Microsoft Office in my Mac. When I click on the file to open , it crashes without or with error “EXC_BAD_ACCESS” . Due to this i have been re-installing the office again and again! I have tried installing the14.1.3 update but it says the version of the software required to install this update is not available on my computer. The only solution I see is completely removing and installing a fresh copy.

[Gania]

You can try the following:

1. Download the combo update for OS X . It is available on apple.com.
2. Now boot using safe mode and install this combo update.
3. Completely remove the office 2011 and restart the computer.
4. Start repair utility to repair permissions on the startup.
5. Install office 2011 with working internet connection.
6. Allow office to automatically install the updates.

[Essien]

This type of error can be solved by deleting all plist files. To delete these files go to “user” then “library” select “preference folder” and “Microsoft folder”, this folder has the Plist files. However the problem you are saying looks like is related to memory. You can run diagnostic program to solve this. Boot the system disc that comes with your Mac, press D to go to the diagnostic program. This will help you check the computwer’s RAM.

[Leanne]

Has your system drive become full? If yes then consider running disk maintenance utilities like “DiskWarrior” or “Drive Genius”. I think there are some unwanted programs in your computer that are preventing your computer from writing into the memory. This is the problem with your RAM if not then hard disk.

[Forrest Ranger]

My Mac Pro came with Lion OS and RAID 5 with two partitions and recovery partition. I have tested my computer with ASD test and nothing was found. I have deleted all plist files from library folder. My system disk is not full and have a lot of free space in it! You suggested me of using utilities like “Disk Warrior” or “Drive Genius” but I have read that running these software can create boot problems on Mac 10.7.2.

[Panop]

if removing preference files doesn’t solve your problem then look for these files in that folder:

1. Library>Preferences>Microsoft>Word Settings (10)
2. Library>Preferences>Microsoft>Word Settings (11)

If doing this also don’t solve it then search for “normal template”:

1. Search all copies of pre-2008 normal templates on your computer and drag them on your desktop. This file has no extension and called ”Normal”.
2. This file can be found in library > application support >Microsoft office> user template
3. Restart the computer after removing this file.

[AnitG]

you can also repair the drive by using disk utility:

1. Insert the Mac OS X install disc.
2. Choose disk utility from utility menu.
3. Click on the “first aid”.
4. Select your drive in sidebar
5. Select repair disk option to repair a drive causing a issue.
6. Now manually restart the computer
7. Now download the combo update and install it. It will refresh all files.