Run time error '5981' Could not open Macro Storage in Word

lauren.manzione · October 5, 2020

I downloaded the newest version of Zotero this morning and am now getting this error when I try to update or refresh my citations in Word.

Run time error '5981' Could not open Macro Storage

I have looked back at old threads but the suggested solutions are not working.

bwiernik · October 5, 2020

What version of Word are you running?

lauren.manzione · October 5, 2020

Version 2008

lauren.manzione · October 5, 2020

I updated to Version 2009

adomasven · October 6, 2020

Seems to be related to this https://support.microsoft.com/en-ie/help/224338/error-message-in-word-800a175d-could-not-open-macro-storage

If this is a personal computer there has been some change in your user account configuration. You can create a new user account and see whether citing works there. Otherwise contact your IT.

kaltoum1999 · May 12, 2022

i have the same probleme. I want to put a citation in word but the system refuse and sent me a error 5981.
please what the solution

rsc46 · May 4, 2023

Delete normal.dotm from "%userprofile%\appdata\roaming\microsoft\templates" folder and restart the word.

I actually had a lot of templates and styles, but there is no solution to repair normal.dotm. Other symptoms of this problem are:

1. ALT+11 -> Visual Basic is Empty
2. Developer > Record Macro > "Macro cannot be created"
3. For me the COMSOL and Foxit-PDF Add-Ins was also not working. So, probably external ad-ins won't work because of this issue.

fpc_k · June 1, 2023

it worked! thanks @rsc46

floramaravalhas · June 5, 2023

Also worked for me, thank you!

mzu0009 · August 1, 2023

Thank you so much @rsc46, you are a savior!! You are THE BEST......

It worked for me, many many thanks!!!

jazow · August 21, 2023

This worked for me too. Thank you <3

Two things to note for other users:

1. To find the "appdata" folder in windows, make sure you have shown "hidden items" selected.
2. I also had to reinstall the Zotero word plugin