How to Fix Run-Time Error 32815 in Word or Excel for Mac
Question details
Users encounter a run-time error dialog when launching or operating Microsoft Word or Excel on macOS.
- Product
- Microsoft Word and Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Running Office applications alongside third-party software components, specifically Adobe Acrobat add-ins.
- Observed behavior
- The system throws a 'Run-time error 32815' dialog unexpectedly, interrupting the workflow. This is sometimes accompanied by references to MacPDFM or run-time error 53.
Ensure all unsaved work in other applications is safely stored, and close Microsoft Word and Excel entirely before proceeding with these troubleshooting steps.
Update macOS, Office, and Adobe Software
Outdated software versions often cause integration conflicts. Updating all related applications is the primary and safest fix.
Run-time error 32815 is frequently caused by a version mismatch between Microsoft Office, your Mac's operating system, and third-party software like Adobe Acrobat.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, select 'System Settings' (or 'System Preferences'), and click 'General' > 'Software Update'. Install any available updates.
Open Microsoft Word or Excel. Click 'Help' in the top menu bar, then select 'Check for Updates'. Follow the prompts in the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool to install the latest versions.
Open the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app or Adobe Acrobat. Go to 'Help' > 'Check for Updates' to ensure your Adobe software and its add-ins are completely up to date.
Disable or Remove Adobe Add-ins
If updating doesn't work, manually disabling the problematic Adobe add-in (like MacPDFM) from launching with Office will bypass the error.
Reinstall Microsoft Office
A corrupted Office installation might be the root cause if add-in removal fails to stop the run-time error.
Switch to a Lightweight and Error-Free Office Suite for Mac
Avoid frustrating run-time errors and conflicting add-ins with WPS Office. As a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative, WPS Office provides a seamless document editing experience on your Mac without the heavy resource usage.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS installation package.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon to your Mac's Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word or Excel files seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the Run-Time Error 32815 on my Mac?
This error is typically triggered by a conflict between Microsoft Office and third-party software add-ins installed on your Mac, most commonly Adobe Acrobat components like MacPDFM.
Do I need the MacPDFM add-in to create PDFs in Word?
No. macOS has a built-in 'Save as PDF' feature accessible from the print dialog, and Microsoft Word natively supports exporting documents as PDFs without requiring Adobe's specific add-in.
Will I lose my files if I reinstall Microsoft Office?
No, your Word documents and Excel spreadsheets are saved separately from the application files. Uninstalling the software will not delete your personal documents, though keeping a Time Machine backup is always recommended.
