Runtime Error 53 in Microsoft 365 on a Mac

Summary

How to troubleshoot run time error 53 on a Mac computer.

Body

Overview

How to troubleshoot run time error 53 on a Mac computer.

Environment

Microsoft 365, MacOS

Troubleshooting/Resolution

For Microsoft Word

  1. Close Microsoft Word.
  2. Locate and select the Go tab on your Mac's Menu bar (bordering bar at the top of screen).
  3. Select Go to Folder.
  4. Navigate to:
    • ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Startup/Word
  5. Delete the linkCreation.dotm file.
  6. Reopen Word and go to:
    1. Tools
    2. Addins
  7. Uncheck and delete the linkCreation.dotm add-in if it reappears.
  8. Close and reopen Word to verify the issue is resolved.

For Microsoft PowerPoint

  1. Close Microsoft PowerPoint.
  2. Locate and select the Go tab on your Mac's Menu bar (bordering bar at the top of screen).
  3. Select Go to Folder.
  4. Navigate to:
    • ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Startup/Powerpoint
  5. Delete the SaveAsAdobePDF.ppam file.
  6. Close and reopen PowerPoint to verify the issue is resolved.

For Microsoft Excel

  1. Close Microsoft Excel.
  2. Locate and select the Go tab on your Mac's Menu bar (bordering bar at the top of screen).
  3. Select Go to Folder.
  4. Navigate to:
    • ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Startup/Excel
  5. Delete the SaveAsAdobePDF.xml file.
  6. Close and reopen Excel to verify the issue is resolved.
Additional Information or Notes

For additional questions, you can contact the JMU IT Help Desk at helpdesk@jmu.edu or 540-568-3555.

Details

Details

Article ID: 20727
Created
Wed 4/22/26 9:42 AM
Modified
Thu 5/28/26 4:13 PM