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MS Word document links are opening as a bunch of symbols instead of opening in MS Word. Does anyone know a way to fix this?

  • 3 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 14 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

cmillerncsba
cmillerncsba
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See the image below. I thought there might be a problem with the word file (which is .docx) but there isn't. The MS Word docs opened fine last month.

Thanks for the help.

See the image below. I thought there might be a problem with the word file (which is .docx) but there isn't. The MS Word docs opened fine last month. Thanks for the help.
Attached screenshots

All Replies (3)

cor-el
cor-el
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This happens if the web server isn't configured properly and sends the file as text/plain instead of with a MIME type that identifies it as an Office document.

You can check that in "Tools > Page Info > General" or use the Network tab of the Inspector (you need to refresh the page).

cmillerncsba
cmillerncsba Question owner
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Thanks for the reply cor-el. Do you know how I can change the file type to MIME? Or how do I refresh the page under the General tab?

cor-el
cor-el
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If the server sends the file as text/plain like I am expecting then Firefox will always open the link in a tab if you paste the link in the location/address bar of left click the link on a web page.

You need to right-click such a link and use "Save Link As" to get the download dialog and prevent Firefox from opening the file in a tab.