'%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 Runtime Error 53 in Microsoft Office on Mac
Question details
The user is encountering Runtime Error 53 when launching Microsoft Office applications on a Mac, even though Adobe products are not installed on the system.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Opening an application or a document within Microsoft Office on macOS.
- Observed behavior
- A "Runtime Error 53" prompt appears on startup, indicating a general Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) failure, typically caused by the system failing to locate a file referenced by a hidden macro or an incompatible add-in.
Ensure you have saved all your open documents and fully quit all Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications before attempting to remove or disable any add-in files.
Identify and Remove Incompatible Add-ins
Since Runtime Error 53 is most frequently caused by an outdated or orphaned VBA-based add-in attempting to load at startup, locating and removing it from the hidden Library folder is the most effective fix.
On macOS, Microsoft Office stores startup add-ins and templates in a specific Group Containers folder. Leftover files from previously uninstalled software can trigger VBA errors because the base files they reference are missing.
Open Finder on your Mac. Click on "Go" in the top menu bar, then select "Go to Folder..." or simply press the Command + Shift + G keyboard shortcut.
Copy and paste the following path into the search box and press Return: ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Startup/
Look inside the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint folders for any add-in files (such as .dotm or .xlam files). Drag these files to your Desktop to temporarily isolate them.
Open the Microsoft Office application that was presenting the error. If it opens smoothly without Error 53, you can safely delete the isolated files from your Desktop.
Disable Invalid AutoExec Macros
If an AutoExec or AutoOpen macro was poorly written or references a missing file, it will automatically trigger Error 53 upon startup.
Try WPS Office for a Bug-Free Experience on Mac
Tired of dealing with frustrating VBA errors and incompatible add-ins? WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office for Mac. Enjoy seamless document editing without the hassle of startup crashes.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the Mac version.
- 2. Install and launch: Follow the simple installation prompts and open the WPS Office application.
- 3. Open your files: Drag and drop your existing Microsoft Office documents into WPS to start editing immediately without any formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Runtime Error 53 mean in Microsoft Office?
Runtime Error 53 is a Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) error indicating "File not found." It occurs when a macro or an add-in attempts to access a system file or dynamic-link library that does not exist or has been deleted. On Mac, this is frequently caused by leftover add-in template files from uninstalled software.
Why am I getting this error if I never installed Adobe Acrobat?
While Adobe's 'linkCreation.dotm' file is the most well-known cause of this specific Mac error, Error 53 is not exclusive to Adobe. It can be triggered by any third-party add-in (like EndNote or WebEx) or custom macro that was poorly written, corrupted, or incorrectly removed from your system.
How do I access the hidden Library folder on macOS?
By default, Apple hides the user Library folder. To access it, open Finder, click on the "Go" menu at the top of the screen, and hold down the "Option" key. The hidden "Library" option will appear in the dropdown list for you to click. Alternatively, you can use the "Go to Folder" shortcut (Command + Shift + G) and explicitly type '~/Library/'.
Will deleting add-in files from the Startup folder delete my personal documents?
No. The Office Startup folder only contains template macros and integration add-ins that load into the background when the application starts. Removing these files will not delete, alter, or affect your personal documents, spreadsheets, or presentations in any way.
