Grant File access AcrobatUtils.scpt on Mac OS

Question

I recently updated MS Office and Mac OS. When I attempt to open any Word document into MS Word, I am greeted with a Grant File Access permission request, which I cannot cancel out. The only way to dismiss this popup is to force quit MS Word. Why is MS Word requiring access to the AcrobatUtils.script, which ironically is in the com.microsoft.Word folder. Why can’t MS Word access its own folder and why does it need my permission? Is this a legitimate request?

BTW, MS Excel is also requesting access to the same script.

Below is the text from the Grant File Access popup:

"Additional permissions are required to access the following files:

/Users/*/Library/Application/Application Scripts/com.microsoft.Word/AcrobatUtils.scpt**

Microsoft Word needs access to the file named AcrobatUtils.scpt

A macro in the file 'linkCreation.dotm' is requesting this access. Grant access only if you trust this file and its macros."

Since I am a digital designer, I have Adobe Creative Cloud installed on my system that I keep up to date. BTW, I can import an MS Word file into Adobe InDesign without any issues or Grant Access Request. Also, I can open up any MS Word document via the Mac Pages.app and any MS Excel file into the Mac Numbers.app without any issues or Grant Access Request.

Here are the current MS Office and Mac versions:

MS Word version: 16.89.1

MS Excel version: 16.89.1

Mac OS version: Ventura 13.6.9

Answer 1

Hi,

Try to uninstall Office for Mac complete from mac:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot-office-for-mac-issues-by-completely-uninstalling-before-you-reinstall-ec3aa66e-6a76-451f-9d35-cba2e14e94c0

Then re-install Office for mac and stop updating, Just checking in to see if the problem is related to the update for Office.

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Answer 2

This issue is caused by a new install routine that Adobe has created to enable PDF creation from within Office. Acrobat installs a macro-enabled template linkcreation.dotm that calls their script AcrobatUtil.scpt. Apple's sandboxing limitations raise the message requiring you to grant access. There's nothing in this process that Microsoft can fix.

If Emi Zhang's suggestion does not help, please post your question at the Acrobat Community forum: https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat/ct-p/ct-acrobat?page=1&sort=latest_replies&lang=all&tabid=all

Answer 3

Hi all

I am running a iMac with Sonoma 14.6.1 OS

I have Microsoft 365 Office loaded and software up to date.

Only recently, I also have been receiving the pop up box with you need to agree to load "AcrobatUtils.scpt" when trying to view my Word documents. I locks up my computer and only a hard close down gets rid of it. It does it when opening existing documents and when I try to start a new document.

Why this has just started is bewildering?

Does anybody know why it is happening.

Anyway, the work around I have found that works is the following;

    Hold the ESC key down for few seconds until the pop up box disappears. Then you can excess         your document. But you have to do this each time with existing files and when you open Word. Frustrating. 

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Having the same issue. I have uninstalled and re installed both Microsoft 365 and Acrobat Pro, updated everything I can, with no luck. Driving me bonkers.
Running iMac with Sequoia 15.6.1 OS

Ready to burn the whole thing.

Help

Answer 5

My user had the same issue running Mac OS Sonoma 14.6.

Since I cannot find a solution online, I create a new local account in the Macbook.

After switching to the new account, the problem was RESOLVED !

When you launch Word, Excel, Powerpoint, it no longer ask to Grant File Access permission request.

But we have to spend time to move the data and setup the VPN, Office 365 applications, bookmark and etc.