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If you’re a Mac user dealing with Runtime Error 4707 in Microsoft Word, you’re not alone. This frustrating issue often appears when launching Word, especially on MacOS Monterey (or later) with M1/M2 Macs, and can disrupt your workflow.

The error is typically caused by a corrupted or outdated add-in—specifically the linkcreation.dom file—that interferes with Word’s normal operation. Fortunately, there are a few reliable fixes to resolve this problem.

What Causes Runtime Error 4707 in Word for Mac?

Before diving into the solutions, let’s understand why this error occurs:

  • Outdated or corrupted Word add-ins (especially linkcreation.dom)

  • Compatibility issues between Word and MacOS (particularly on Apple Silicon M1/M2 chips)

  • Buggy Word updates (some users report issues in version 16.97, while 16.96 works fine)

Now, let’s explore the best ways to fix it.

Method 1: Delete the Problematic Add-in (linkcreation.dom)

The most common fix involves removing the linkcreation.dom file from Word’s startup folder. Here’s how:

Step 1: Close Microsoft Word Completely

Ensure Word isn’t running in the background (check Activity Monitor if needed).

Step 2: Open the Hidden Library Folder

  1. Open Finder.

  2. Hold down the Option (⌥) key and click Go in the menu bar.

  3. Select Library from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Navigate to Word’s Startup Folder

~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Startup/Word

(If the Startup/Word folder doesn’t exist, the issue might be elsewhere.)

Step 4: Locate and Delete linkcreation.dom

  • Find the file named linkcreation.dom.

  • Drag it to the Trash (or right-click → Move to Trash).

  • Empty the Trash to permanently delete it.

Step 5: Restart Your Mac and Open Word

After deleting the file, restart your Mac and check if the error persists.

Method 2: Roll Back to an Older Version of Word

If the error continues, the issue might be with a buggy Word update. Some users report that Word version 16.97 causes errors, while 16.96 works fine.

How to Downgrade Microsoft Word

  1. Uninstall Microsoft Word (via Finder → Applications → Drag to Trash).

  2. Download an older version (if you have a Time Machine backup, restore Word from a previous version).

  3. Disable auto-updates in Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) to prevent reinstalling the problematic update.

Method 3: Reinstall Microsoft Office Completely

If the issue persists, a full reinstall may help:

  1. Uninstall Microsoft Office:

    • Open Finder → Applications → Select Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint → Move to Trash.

    • Also, delete leftover files in:

      ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word  
~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office

  2. Reinstall Microsoft Office:

Method 4: Run Word in Safe Mode (Troubleshoot Further)

If the error still appears, try launching Word in Safe Mode to check for conflicts:

  1. Close Word completely.

  2. Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities → Terminal).

  3. Enter:

    bash
    open -a "Microsoft Word" --args -safe

  4. If Word opens without errors, another add-in may be causing the issue.

Final Thoughts

Runtime Error 4707 in Word for Mac is usually fixable by:
✅ Deleting linkcreation.dom from the startup folder.
✅ Downgrading Word to a stable version (e.g., 16.96).
✅ Reinstalling Office if the problem persists.

If none of these work, consider contacting Microsoft Support or checking their community forums for further help.

Did This Fix Your Issue?

If this guide helped you, share your experience in the comments! For more Mac troubleshooting tips, subscribe and stay tuned. 🚀

#MicrosoftWord #MacOS #TechTips #ErrorFix #M1Mac

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