Hi there.  I just migrated my files to a new computer.  When I try to edit the data in a Word document chart, I get an box that says: "Opening chart data in Excel" (as it should) and then an error that says, "To insert a chart, you must first close any open dialog boxes or cancel editing mode in Microsoft Office Excel"

All the data points still exist on the chart.  I just can't open the excel file to view or edit them.  Any ideas?

Hi there.  I just migrated my files to a new computer.  When I try to edit the data in a Word document chart, I get an box that says: "Opening chart data in Excel" (as it should) and then an error that says, "To insert a chart, you must first close any open dialog boxes or cancel editing mode in Microsoft Office Excel"

All the data points still exist on the chart.  I just can't open the excel file to view or edit them.  Any ideas?

Have you moved the EXCEL file from the old computer to the new one?

Yes.  There's something really odd going on.  I can't even create a new chart on a new document without getting that "To insert a chart, you must first close any open dialog boxes or cancel editing mode in Microsoft Office Excel" error.  So, I can't create or edit any charts...

UPDATE: I just reinstalled the Office software and I am still unable to create any charts.  Even on a brand new document with a brand new chart, I get the same error.  Any ideas?

This fixed it:

This problem is specific to the user's preferences (usually a corruption in one of those files). Removing and reinstalling the Office "software" will NOT fix this problem. However, Office 2008/2011 stores preferences in TWO locations in your home directory.

Deleting the preferences from BOTH these locations will fix this problem.

NOTE: Backup your computer before doing these steps!

Delete files in:

Macintosh HD Users ~your home directory Library Application Support Microsoft Office Preferences Office 2008 or 2011

Macintosh HD Users ~your home directory Library Preferences Microsoft Office 2008 or 2011

Then Apple menu Logout and login the current user or just Restart the whole computer.

NOTE: To get to a user's Library in OS X 10.7 or 10.8 go to the Go menu while holding down the 'alt' (option) key and select "Library".

NOTE: Deleting office preferences may mean you need to reset your personal settings/preferences in all Office applications. Entourage/Outlook email, accounts and rules should be safe as they are stored elsewhere.

Graham Needham

MacStrategy (http://www.macstrategy.com)