Runtime error 53 when using Microsoft Word and Powerpoint

[D668458]

Help!  Been on the phone 3x with Adobe staff, 12 hours on this Runtime Error 53 Visual Basic MACPDFM. Adobe has been helpful in doing a temporary fix (they acknowledge it's an issue ADOBE has) but then the problem continues to come back for Microsoft Word and Powerpoint. 

Does any user or Adobe customer have a solution that is PERMANENT or is this something I will need to live with this error every time I open a word or ppt file?

Seeking "HOW TO", "GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING" guidance from the experts

[mikehalloran]

Yes!  Find Any File is what Apple's Finder/Find and Spotlight should always have been. I can't imagine not having it anymore.

You can buy it directly from the developer but I prefer the App Store since that version notifies you when updates are available. Thomann is good at keeping up with macOS changes.

[Anne22855035mn3e]

Amazing, this finally worked!  Well with the few dollars to pay for that app to find these files.  Apple's Finder/Find and Spotlight were totally useless.  That was a crazy amount of effort to problem solve.  Thanks!

[OwenMarcus]

Thanks -- the best $8 I have spent!

[leo_6919]

This worked. Thank you for the advice

[AnandSri]

Hello!

Glad to hear it worked for you! In case you face any issues in the future, check for pending updates by going to the menu and selecting "Check for Updates." Install any available updates and restart your machine to ensure you have the latest version with the newest features and fixes. For more details, refer to this article: Adobe Release Notes.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

[D668458]

the last fix "finally worked" for me on my Mac which was to go into Finder to the Microsoft Office 365 files for PPT and Word and do a deletion. this seems to be where the files are NOW located.  I deleted and openned up Word and Powerpoint without any issues.....Let's see as I have to do a few presentation decks today if the darned file "reappears".......fingers crossed!

[dr._robert_1578]

I have the same issues with MacPDFM file and LinkCreation.dotm template returning as checked when reopening Word. MS directs me to this forum. Has anyone yet found a solution?

[Sam_Stein7332]

Yes. Use the app https://findanyfile.app/

You can search for the two files you need to delete and then delete them. They don't come up using finder, but this app does find them, so you're able to delete them.

[dr._robert_1578]

Hi Sam.

Thank you very much! That worked as soon as I found the extra linkcreation file! 😊 That's a great utility.

[Starpoint5C46]

MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS FROM THE MAC HD AND NOT USER

Use the Library folder and NOT the User/Library/

THIS IS THE SOLUTION FOR THIS ANNOYING ERROR!!! Thanks a lot! Adobe & Microsfot need to let everyone know better...

I was searching for ages... All old solutions won't work. My folder was empty. No file like "linkCreation.dotm" and "SaveAsAdobePDF.ppam" was there.

Use the Library folder and NOT the User/Library/

--> Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office 365/User Content/Startup

Both files are now in there.

Afterwards you will be getting an error when opening Powerpoint, but now you're able to go to Add-ins and remove the Adobe Add-in via "-". This was not possible before and unselecting always activated it again on startup.

[matthew_4585]

I was having the same error in WORD. I was able to find the file within Microsoft Word.
Tools/Templates and add ins
if you select the file LinkCreation.dotm, the full path appears below.

Mine was in MacHD/Library/applicatino Support/Microsoft/Office 360/user content/startup/word

SaveAsAdobePDF.ppam is in the same location .../startup in a folder called Powerpoint

I deleted the LinkCreation file and the error down't come up when starting a blank document

Does this help?

[mikehalloran]

Although and other solutions do work, the effects are often temporary. Later Microsoft and Adobe updates sometimes reenable this annoying Runtime error 53. 

I've given up on trying to figure out which company is to blame. I just play another round of Whack-A-Mole when one of the Macs belonging to my wife or me shows this crap again.