Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 79205
error saving document error writing file
Last modified: 2013-02-07 21:54:19 UTC
This is an intermittent problem. I get "error saving document fred.odt Write error error writing file" on save or save as, from both calc and writer [odt and ods files]. These are existing files which I was editing. If I cut and paste the entire file, [or sheet from calc] to a new file there is no problem in saving the new file [save as]. This first started in version 2.2.0 but I have downloaded 2.2.1 on 1 July 2007 and the problem is still there [in a new file created this morning]. This was reported as issue 67317 on version 2.0.3 but the issue seems to be closed even though the problem persists. If I try "save as" newfred.odt the same message is shown but not with the file name newfred.odt but with the old file name, fred.odt. A file newfred.odt is saved but it seems to be empty and when I open it and enter some text and try to save it, the save thinks it is in txt format, so I get the message "this document may contain formatting or content that cannot be saved in text file format." If I continue with the save in odt format I am warned that the odt file already exists -even though when I opened it, it picks up as a .txt.file. The original fred.odt was saved when initially created with the original edits, When it refused to save I closed it without the recent edits. If closed it can easily be re-opened. It then saves ok even if I cut and paste the new edits back from the copy, after this hiccup. The same has been occuring with spreadsheets. Sorry to be so long winded but I am trying to give you all the relevant info. I really like the Open Office suite, and appreciate what a lot of work has gone into it.
Sounds more a problem of File-handling. Framework issue.
Not reproducible and a strange behaviour. Please download recent version (m217 build) from an official source (openoffice.org), uninstall old OOo-version completely (incl. deletion of installation folder AND openoffice-folder within users Application Data ! -> stores users personal data and may have an influence of newer versions if defect), install recent downloaded version. -> Problems should have gone. Be sure, that temp-folder is writable and there's enough discspace for saving.
closed
On 7 July 2007 I cleared all the directories mentioned that connected to open office [but not the user files]; re downloaded openoffice as suggested, and re-installed it. The problem, while intermittent, persists. What happens is, for example in writer, I create an new file, edit it and save as, say myfile. I save regularly while editing, then on one occasion it will refuse to save, saying unable to write file. If I cut and paste the file content to a different new file I can save as mynewfile. If I close the older file and reopen it, it has all but the most recent edits. I can paste in either the entire content or just the recent edits [when they are all in one place] and it will save them. If I open a new file, cut the content from the unsaveable file and then close it; paste into the new file I can save the new file over the unsaveable file. A similar thing happens with spreadsheets. The spreadsheets I am using have several sheets so cutting and pasting is more cumbersome, but I have managed it. I do not think the problem is because the temp file is full or presumably I would not be able to save the new copy.
I also have this problem, I have had it since installing 2.2.1 and now it persists. I have tried uninstalling, deleting all user and install files as suggested. I have not deleted any registry data. I have tried 2.2.0 as well but the problem persists. I have found that the problem occurs after some period of time, no specific activity by the user is required to generate the error. I have returned to my PC after a period away and been unable to save a file. As a work around the automated backups are successful, you will find there is no need to copy and paste. Just wait for the automated backup interval then open the latest backup file in a new window, close the original window and save your document to the original file name.
Thankyou. It is a great comfort to find that I am not the only person with the problem. I was concerned that I was doing something really silly. I have set up automatic backup, which I did not have. However, the backup file is in the application data folder for oo2.2. Can I direct the backup to any other folder for example in My Documents/
Yes we are not alone, searching the web you can find many others with a similar problem but it seems reproducing it is a problem. I cannot even make it happen deliberately it's very intermittent. Because Writer doesn't crash it won't generate any error reporting so it's hard to resolve. I would be nice to have someway to force a debug or memory dump when the problem occurs. In regards to the location of the automated backup it can be set to anywhere you like provided that is always available. Under "Tools / Options" you will find an entry for "OpenOffice.org / Paths", but I suggest somewhere local. The program won't create the folder for you so make sure you create one inyour preferred location first. I hope someone clever resolves our issue soon.
We too are getting this error after installing 2.2.1. This was a clean install on a brand new Dell Dimension E520 too. So this error has nothing to do with user settings from older release bringing the problem forward. It is not readily reproducible either. Can we please have some action on this as it is not a very productive environment to work in.
It's hard to take some action on this issue if nobody who should fix has a chance to reproduce. It's surly not a common OOo 2.2.1 problem.
It appears to be a common problem if there are a lot of comments in various website from people who are having the same problem. It may just take someone with a debug version running to try and repro the problem. We may just have to go back to an earlier release to get around this problem until a fix is found. I know it is vary hard to reproduce as it does not happen on every file that is opened. It is not even a time related issue.
I have tried uninstalling 2.2.1 and returning to an earlier version but the problem persists. It may be related to something that persists after the uninstall such as JRE, SDK or some other shared update.
To try and get around the problem I uninstalled 2.2.1, rebooted my system, installed 2.0.3. The problem still persists. Suspect it is something being shipped and installed with open office that is causing the problem. What that may be I have no idea. This is a very large hit to my productivity. Until now I have been extremely pleased with open office.
Some additional information: I have set to save backups and to autosave at frequent intervals. Some of the files in the backup folder are normal .odt files or normal .bak files but several are appearing with a size of zero and a double extension , for example file guernsey.odt size 20 kb, time 22.11; guernsey.bak, size 20 kb, time 22.15, file guernsey.odt_0.odt , 0 kb time 23.12, [the first refusal to save] then guernsey.odt_1.odt 0 kb [next refusal to save]. These empty files appear in the backup folder, not in the folder where the original file, guernsey.odt is saved. However it is not quite clear cut , for I find there is also another file, cassettes.odt_0.odt which is not empty , but is in the backup folder.
I also have the zero size backup files, this may be normal. In the short term I downloaded and installed the free StarOffice 8 being offered at Google Pack. It seems to be 100% compatible with all my OpenOffice files and so far the save problem has not occurred in StarOffice. But my preference is still to use OpenOffice if the save problem gets resolved.
I have just had the problem occur in StarOffice 8, so it must be a feature common to both or an external conflict. In the case of StarOffice, when the problem occurs I have found it is possible to save the file as a Microsoft file type, but not as any of the Sun file formats!!! So far I have tested both XLS and DOC, file types. Once it is saved in the Microsoft format you can close the problem window, re-open the XLS or DOC file then immediately save it to the original ODT or ODS file. Is anyone with a standalone Windows install of OpenOffice able to test this behaviour? This sounds similar to the Samba problems of a few years ago, could it be related? Regards, Justin.
*** Issue 79205 has been confirmed by votes. ***