Word: Runtime error 4707 when opening documents starting in build 16.97
Summary
Starting in build 16.97, Word for Microsoft 365 can show a Visual Basic dialog box with "Runtime error 4707" when users open documents. Microsoft confirms the issue and states it has been fixed with the Word 16.97.1 release. The feed header still shows the status as investigating, but the article text says fixed.
Symptoms
A Visual Basic dialog box with the error message "Runtime error 4707" appears when opening documents.
Affected
- Word for Microsoft 365, starting in build 16.97
Workaround
No workaround known.
Fix
Fixed with the Word 16.97.1 release. Update Word to this version or later.
Recommendation
Check the Word version on affected devices and install the update to 16.97.1 or later through your usual update channel. If the error persists after updating, check the Microsoft known issues page for further information.
Sources
- Word: When opening a Word document, users might get a Visual Basic dialog box with Runtime error 4707 Vendor · support.microsoft.com
Compiled from the sources listed and translated with AI (Claude); status and dates come from the vendor. The vendor’s statements are authoritative. Updated 1 Nov 2026, 18:20.
Where the information comes from
We continuously read the vendors’ official sources, community reports and trade media and summarise them in our own words, with a link to the source:
- Microsoft: Windows release health (Windows 10/11, Server 2016 to 2025), Windows message center, known issues of Microsoft 365 Apps (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Edge, Intune, Autopilot, Windows 365 and Entra Connect, Microsoft KB articles with timelines, Exchange and Windows IT Pro blogs, optionally Microsoft 365 service health and message center
- other vendors: Veeam KB, Citrix (known issues), Ubuntu and Debian (regressions), Broadcom (VMware), Fortinet, Cisco, Mozilla, Let’s Encrypt
- community (title, short excerpt and link only, without the names of the authors): Microsoft Q&A, Microsoft Tech Community (discussions), Veeam R&D Forums, Eleven Forum
- targeted web research with AI (Claude), e.g. on the updates of the month – this also finds discussions on Reddit and in forums; such entries are labelled as community reports until the vendor confirms them
- early warning from trade media (title and link only): Born’s Tech and Windows World, BleepingComputer, AskWoody, Windows Latest, Windows Central, gHacks, The Windows Club, Deskmodder, Dr. Windows, WindowsArea, Frankys Web, heise online
Summary and translation with AI (Claude by Anthropic) – without any data of visitors.
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