'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Fix Microsoft Word File Permission Save Errors on Mac
Question details
The user is unable to save a Microsoft Word document on a Mac due to a file permission error.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to save a newly created or edited document to a local folder or drive on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word triggers a file permission error dialog and prevents the document from being saved.
Ensure you have the latest version of Microsoft Word installed and verify that your user account has administrative privileges on your Mac.
Clear ADAL Keychain Entries and Preference Files
Resolves underlying authentication and secure bookmark conflicts that frequently cause permission errors in Office for Mac.
Microsoft Word for Mac uses secure bookmarks and ADAL (Active Directory Authentication Library) credentials to manage file permissions and account access. Corrupted entries in these files can trigger persistent save errors.
Open Word, click the 'Help' menu at the top of the screen, and select 'Check for Updates' to ensure you are on the latest version.
Open 'Keychain Access' from your Applications > Utilities folder. Use the search bar in the top-right corner to search for 'ADAL', select all related entries, and delete them.
Open Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G, and enter the path: ~/Library/Containers/Microsoft Word/Data/Library/Preferences/ to locate the folder. Find and delete the file named 'Microsoft Word.securebookmarks.plist'.
Restart your Mac to apply the changes, then open your document and try saving it again.
Check Read-Only Status and Change Save Location
A quick workaround if the specific file or folder is restricted, locked by the system, or lacks proper write permissions.
Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience on Mac
If you frequently encounter permission errors and save issues in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It's a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that offers a familiar interface and seamless document management without complex preference file errors.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for Mac from the official website and install it quickly.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document directly without needing any format conversion.
- 3. Save Without Errors: Edit your file and save it smoothly to your local drive or WPS Cloud without facing permission restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word say I don't have permission to save on my Mac?
This typically happens due to corrupted keychain credentials (ADAL), restricted folder permissions on your Mac, or corrupt secure bookmarks preference files that Office uses to verify access rights.
How do I access the hidden Library folder on Mac to find the securebookmarks.plist file?
Open Finder, click the 'Go' menu at the top of the screen, hold down the 'Option' key to reveal the hidden 'Library' folder, and click it. Alternatively, you can use the 'Go to Folder' shortcut (Cmd + Shift + G) and paste the exact file path.
Will deleting ADAL entries from Keychain Access log me out of Office?
Yes, removing Microsoft ADAL keychain entries clears your saved authentication data, meaning you will be prompted to sign in with your Microsoft account the next time you open an Office application.
