Microsoft updates Office 2004 and Office 2008 for Mac

[AppleInsider]

Microsoft on Tuesday released stability and performance updates for Office 2004 and Office 2008 for Mac, both of which also patch vulnerabilities that could allow an attacker to overwrite the contents of a computer's memory by using malicious code.

Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.1 Update

Aside from the security fix, Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.1 Update [14.5MB] also updates the Japanese postal code dictionary in Entourage and fixes an issue that causes Word 2004 to close unexpectedly when opening a document that contains a numbered list.

Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.2 Update

The 12.1.2 update for Office 2008 for Mac [159.6MB] is more substantial, repairing a global issue that prevented all Office 2008 applications from running AppleScript scripts from the Script menu, while also delivering a number of individual fixes for Word, Excel and Entourage.

More specifically, Microsoft said Word should now launch more quickly and tables will no longer included random instances of bold text. Other changes improve the display of form fields and the reliability of headers & footers in the word processing application.

Meanwhile, Excel should now open spreadsheet files that contain invalid characters and see improvements to the overall performance of calculations. Number formatting for some international languages and stability when saving workbooks that contain PivotTable reports has also been improved.

One of the major focus areas for Entourage was to improve stability when using Microsoft Sync Services, Microsoft said. In particular, Tuesday's update fixes an issue that where all contacts in Entourage or in the Apple Address Book would be deleted and re-created when you use Microsoft Sync Services. It should also prevent duplication of events and other items in Entourage or in iCal.

Other changes to Entourage focused on improving junk mail filtering, recurring calendar events, time zone information, embedded images, and the reliability when Entourage establishes a encrypted channel.

Student Office 2008 deal

Earlier Tuesday, Microsoft said it has teamed with a select few Apple authorized resellers like Amazon.com to offer students up to 30 percent off its various Office 2008 productivity suites when they're purchased alongside a new Mac before September 8th.

The offer translates into $15 off Office 2008 Home and Student Edition, $80 off Office 2008 Standard Edition, and $150 off Office 2008 Special Media Edition..

Amazon is also offering between $50 and $200 rebates on Apple's entire Mac line through August 25th.

AppleInsider last year published its Road to Mac Office 2008 series covering the new suite and its roots in great detail.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[dr_lha]

No mention of fixes to the Spaces issues that Office 2008 has.

[infobhan]

Originally Posted by dr_lha

No mention of fixes to the Spaces issues that Office 2008 has.

Yes, it's ridiculous how long this problem has gone on. It makes Office almost unusable in a Spaces environment.

[dr_lha]

Originally Posted by infobhan

Yes, it's ridiculous how long this problem has gone on. It makes Office almost unusable in a Spaces environment.

Indeed, I can verify that the issues still exist in the latest version. Really f***ing annoying.

[plankton]

Yes, Spaces is broken in 12.1.1 and worse, I cannot update to 12.1.2. Get this message:
You cannot install Office 2008 12.1.2 Update on this volume. A version of the software required to install this update was not found on this volume.
WTF M$?

[dattyx26]

office opens much more quicky for me. i never really had issues with office 08, actually. im surprised by the complaints since release.

[VinitaBoy]

Originally Posted by plankton

Yes, Spaces is broken in 12.1.1 and worse, I cannot update to 12.1.2. Get this message:
You cannot install Office 2008 12.1.2 Update on this volume. A version of the software required to install this update was not found on this volume.
WTF M$?

Hope this helps: Make absolutely sure that a folder titled "Microsoft Office 2008" is sitting within your Applications folder. THERE CAN BE NO VARIATION OF THIS NAME.

Also, make sure that all four Office applications inside have NO addenda attached to their titles, like version numbers.

Good luck.

[ksec]

Performance. It is still slow like we are still on PowerPC binary?
Or does it feel more like an Native App?

[bwik]

Originally Posted by VinitaBoy

Hope this helps: Make absolutely sure that a folder titled "Microsoft Office 2008" is sitting within your Applications folder. THERE CAN BE NO VARIATION OF THIS NAME.

Also, make sure that all four Office applications inside have NO addenda attached to their titles like version numbers.

Good luck.

Remember the good old days in the 1990s when Office for the Mac had more features than it does today?

I do. They used to be good programs.

[justflybob]

Huh...

Must faster apps now after 12.1.2 update. All of them! Color my surprised!

[LukeD]

Entourage can still not import from, or export to, MS Outlook.

Will Microsoft ever address this, or do they fear that this will ultimately kill their Windows business?

O2M by Little Machines is a credible solution, but it too is lacking.

The Word grammar check does not offer the explanations and detail that is offered in Word 2007 for Windows.

[plankton]

Thanks for the suggestion but that does not fix it. The names and locations are all the defaults and nothing has been changed. I have another Mac running 12.1.1 with a different serial and that updated without problems. I can't see what the difference between the two is and I don't use double names with odd characters for disks, etc. It ran the previous update to 12.1.1 without problems and it was the Auto Update feature in 12.1.1 that found the 12.1.2 update! Just another typical M$ screw up I suppose.

[davidb1]

Originally Posted by plankton

Thanks for the suggestion but that does not fix it. The names and locations are all the defaults and nothing has been changed. I have another Mac running 12.1.1 with a different serial and that updated without problems. I can't see what the difference between the two is and I don't use double names with odd characters for disks, etc. It ran the previous update to 12.1.1 without problems and it was the Auto Update feature in 12.1.1 that found the 12.1.2 update! Just another typical M$ screw up I suppose.

I have the exact same problem as described by Plankton. I'm running Leopard and I updated Office 2008 to 12.1.1 without any problem, but this updater (ie. 12.1.2) gives me that dreaded message (noted above)

I looked at the Mactopia forum and found a thread about "12.1.2 fails to update" with a bunch of complaints about this same issue there.

I guess we are not the only ones to have this problem.

[bhottle]

I have tried three times today to install the Office 2008 update, and each time the installer says that I do not have a copy on my hard drive. It is in the applications folder on my hard drive in the folder that the Office 2008 installer created, labeled "Microsoft Office 2008". This happened for several days with the previous update, so I wonder about the care with which Microsoft creates its installers.

[placebo1969]

If you have run an application such as Monolingual which removes languages, you will get that error when you go to update Office. Even if your file names are correct, if something is removed within the applications, Office won't update. You need to trash Office, reinstall and then update. A pain.

[placebo1969]

If you have run an application such as Monolingual which removes languages, you will get that error when you go to update Office. Even if your file names are correct, if something is removed within the applications, Office won't update. You need to trash Office, reinstall and then update. A pain.

[placebo1969]

If you've used an application such as Monolingual which removes various languages, the Office updaters won't work. Even if the folder names, etc. haven't been changed, removing the languages will mess things up. I've had the same problem. You need to trash the entire Office folder, reinstall from your disk and then use the updaters. A pain, to be sure.

[placebo1969]

If you've used an application such as Monolingual which removes various languages, the Office updaters won't work. Even if the folder names, etc. haven't been changed, removing the languages will mess things up. I've had the same problem. You need to trash the entire Office folder, reinstall from your disk and then use the updaters. A pain, to be sure.

[gdog]

i am still using office 2004. it works pretty well. i have heard so many complaints re 2008 should i just keep the old software. i just use excel. is 2008 really sower to load and open etc?

[Slagheap]

Does this fix the -- Office Documents downloaded with Safari get template file extensions added for no reason -- bug?

(I.e. if I download foo.doc with Safari, it gets turned into foo.doc.dot -- because of some weird interplay between Office's incorrect settings for file types, and Safari's weird handling of it. Likewise for Excel, & PowerPoint).

[plankton]

No, I have not used Monolingual or anything similar. This is a completely standard Office 2008 install.

[JasonD]

I had the same problem installing office: "No version of the software found on volume". This is what I did:

-- Download the update from MS
--Right click on the update file and click "Show Package Contents"
--Navigate to Contents -> Resources
--You need to modify the script: package_updatable. Remove these lines using Text Edit:

if not found_valid_version:
sys.exit(48)

--Save then close. Now it will update.

Don't you LOVE MS?

[Wuk]

Encountered "A version of the software required to install this update was not found on this volume" already at update 12.1.1
Same problem with update 12.1.2

I haven't "stripped" Office 2008. I just used custom install, because I only wanted to install Word and Excel.
MS helpdesk only could recommend to remove everything (program and all settings) from Mac an reinstall and do all updates again....

Shorlty after 12.1.1 a version 12.1.1.1 mpkg appeared on the MS website, which was successfully. This has been removed lateron for unknown reasons.
And now we have the existing problem again with 12.1.2

Also 2004 is much more stable, so my advise: don't buy this upgrade!

[Wuk]

Originally Posted by JasonD

I had the same problem installing office: "No version of the software found on volume". This is what I did:

-- Download the update from MS
--Right click on the update file and click "Show Package Contents"
--Navigate to Contents -> Resources
--You need to modify the script: package_updatable. Remove these lines using Text Edit:

if not found_valid_version:
sys.exit(48)

--Save then close. Now it will update.

Don't you LOVE MS?

I tried this, but it still refuses to install.
I am using a Dutch verion of Office.
Can you help me, what else has to be modified in this file?
Thanks.

[Cubert]

It sounds like Office sucks just a little bit less now.

[JasonD]

Originally Posted by Wuk

I tried this, but it still refuses to install.
I am using a Dutch verion of Office.
Can you help me, what else has to be modified in this file?
Thanks.

I'd try totally removing Office (Applications -> Office
2008 -> Additional Tools -> Remove Office) and doing a fresh install. Then try to update using the modified updater I suggested.

[CraigGrocott]

Originally Posted by JasonD

I had the same problem installing office: "No version of the software found on volume". This is what I did:

-- Download the update from MS
--Right click on the update file and click "Show Package Contents"
--Navigate to Contents -> Resources
--You need to modify the script: package_updatable. Remove these lines using Text Edit:

if not found_valid_version:
sys.exit(48)

--Save then close. Now it will update.

Don't you LOVE MS?

THANK YOU!!!

Although it didn't work exactly as described, the file system was read only. So I had to Duplicate the package first and then edit the permissions.

[GordonComstock]

Originally Posted by infobhan

Yes, it's ridiculous how long this problem has gone on. It makes Office almost unusable in a Spaces environment.

There are some Microsoft apologists on the web that assert that incompatibility with Spaces is so deeply rooted in the foundation of MS's approach to coding Office 2008 that it will not be fixed in the near term, if ever. Check the Office 2008 forums; Word section.

Spaces seems to create some odd behaviors no matter what, especially when apps like Safari are assigned to a specific space.

My mileage varies.


gc

[plankton]

Thanks—that fixed it.

[JasonD]

Originally Posted by CraigGrocott

THANK YOU!!!

Although it didn't work exactly as described, the file system was read only. So I had to Duplicate the package first and then edit the permissions.

It is read-only, but Text Edit can still overwrite. For me, Text Edit just gave me a warning message that I was about to overwrite the file. I clicked "Overwrite" and it did no problem.

Anyway, glad it worked.

[davidb1]

Thanks, the trick of removing part of that file with text edit worked for me.

I am now updated to 12.1.2

[m01ety]

Originally Posted by JasonD

I had the same problem installing office: "No version of the software found on volume". This is what I did:

-- Download the update from MS
--Right click on the update file and click "Show Package Contents"
--Navigate to Contents -> Resources
--You need to modify the script: package_updatable. Remove these lines using Text Edit:

if not found_valid_version:
sys.exit(48)

--Save then close. Now it will update.

Don't you LOVE MS?

Thanks a bunch, this trick did it for me.

[jcollin3k]

I installed the updated for Office 2008, and it does seem that Word loads faster. It used to take almost a minute on my MacBook (latest black model with 4GB of RAM).

The problem I still have with Entourage 2008 is this: every time I wake my MacBook from sleep and Entourage first retrieves e-mail, it time stamps all the e-mail to the current time. So I have no idea when people actually sent the e-mail. This just randomly started happening like two weeks ago and if of course very annoying.

Anyone else have this problem and/or a solution to this problem?

[ukrunr]

I bought the 2008 upgrade through the upgrade and rebate offer Microsoft had at the end of last year. I bought the version with expressions media rather than the additional client licenses option.

Initially that came with expressions media v1, which then subsequently broke when v2 came out. Microsoft had allowed for that, and if you already had v1 installed, a subsequent install of v2 trial enabled the full v2 functionality. Great!

Then this latest upgrade comes out, I upgrade and it appears to go fine, no need to textedit anything.

Try and launch expressions media V2 and now I'm told my license key is invalid. I then try and reinstall the V2 trial version like before, and guess what - I am still told that my license key is invalid.

Kind of looks like Microsoft have just removed an application that I paid for with no notice, apologies or anything. IF I'd know this, I'd have chosen the multiple client license option, not the media version, as I really don't use it that much, although it is pretty handy.

Anyone else seen this?

I haven't approached Microsoft yet, as I don't feel like wasting my time unnecessarily. Really would like this to be fixed though.

Does make me pleased as an Apple shareholder though to see the competition do such a poor job repetitively.

[JasonD]

Originally Posted by ukrunr

I bought the 2008 upgrade through the upgrade and rebate offer Microsoft had at the end of last year. I bought the version with expressions media rather than the additional client licenses option.

Initially that came with expressions media v1, which then subsequently broke when v2 came out. Microsoft had allowed for that, and if you already had v1 installed, a subsequent install of v2 trial enabled the full v2 functionality. Great!

Then this latest upgrade comes out, I upgrade and it appears to go fine, no need to textedit anything.

Try and launch expressions media V2 and now I'm told my license key is invalid. I then try and reinstall the V2 trial version like before, and guess what - I am still told that my license key is invalid.

Kind of looks like Microsoft have just removed an application that I paid for with no notice, apologies or anything. IF I'd know this, I'd have chosen the multiple client license option, not the media version, as I really don't use it that much, although it is pretty handy.

Anyone else seen this?

I haven't approached Microsoft yet, as I don't feel like wasting my time unnecessarily. Really would like this to be fixed though.

Does make me pleased as an Apple shareholder though to see the competition do such a poor job repetitively.

Try erasing 2 Preference files and reset your product key:

Erase these 2 files:

User -> Username -> Library -> Preferences -> Microsoft -> Office 2008 ->Microsoft Office 2008 Settings.plist

-and-

Applications -> Microsoft Office 2008 -> Office -> OfficePID.plist

Then open any Office application. You'll be prompted for your product key from your install disk.

This MIGHT take care of your problem.

[Wuk]

Terrific
after loads of problems upgrading to 12.1.2
(A version of the software required to install this update was not found on this volume....)
I finally have been able to upgrade to 12.1.2, but

now Word 2008 crashes immediately. Looking at the log it seems to have problems with the Japanse (!) Proofing. Great! I am using a Dutch language version......!

So I did the best anyone can do: I returned MS Office 2008 for Mac to the shop and got my money back
Now I only have to re-install my Office 2004 package, which was working much better anyway.

Info on Word 2008 crash:

Microsoft Error Reporting log version: 2.0

Error Signature:
Exception: EXC_BAD_ACCESS
Date/Time: 2008-08-14 14:24:18 +0200
Application Name: Microsoft Word
Application Bundle ID: com.microsoft.Word
Application Signature: MSWD
Application Version: 12.1.2.080729
Crashed Module Name: JapaneseProofing
Crashed Module Version: 12.1.2.080729
Crashed Module Offset: 0x000040e3
Blame Module Name: JapaneseProofing
Blame Module Version: 12.1.2.080729
Blame Module Offset: 0x000040e3
Application LCID: 1043
Extra app info: Reg=en Loc=0x0413

[Alejandro Ramirez]

If you are applying the standalone updater please note that 12.1.2 requires 12.1.1 which in turn requires 12.1.0 (SP1), not fulfilling this pre-requisite causes the error message where the update can't find a version to update.

If that's not applicable to you, then there are a couple of reasons why you are seeing the message about not being able to update, if you modified any files in any way (i.e. using applications to remove localized files), then you will have to reinstall from scratch.

If you haven't modified Office, please try this:

1. If you are applying multiple updates, restart between updates. We have found that the Apple Installer does not always cleanup the temp files used during an update and thus, causing the failure.
2. Did you rename any files or folders? This will prevent the update from finding Office.
3. Did you move the 'Microsoft Office 2008' folder? Moving the folder out of the Applications folder in your partition will cause the installer to fail.

We are keeping an eye on the forums to make sure we are not missing any other scenarios, but so far the ones above have been identified as the main causes. Please read our colleague's blog about this: http://www.schwieb.com/blog/2008/08/...se-bits-alone/

Alejandro Ramirez
Microsoft Mac BU