RefWorks Support: Error message using Create Bibliotgraphy (WNCIII)

Transcript of Q&A with RefWorks support:

Question:
One of our customers encountered a problem while attempting to use the 'Create Bibliography' function in RefWorks, using Word2007 (document extension: .docx) and Write-n-Cite III. She received the following error report:

Errors were encountered while processing your document:
- The following error occurred attempting to read your document: 'this.oRange.Text.substr(...).match(...).0' is null or not an object

In investigating this problem, we opened the .docx in Word2003 (Word2007 not being available in the library). Attempting to use 'Create Bibliography (with Write-n-Cite III) resulted in the same error report.

Subsequently, we tried saving the document as a .doc file, saving the document as a .doc file under a different name and copying the content of the original document into a new .doc file. These attempts resulted in the following error message when attempting to use 'Create Bibliography' (Word2003, Write-n-CiteIII):

The following Errors were found while processing your document
- The following error occurred attempting to read your document: 'length' is null or not an object.

Could you advise us on the possible cause of this problem and provide a solution?

Answer:
That error indicates that part of the document was written with Write N Cite v.2 and part was written with Write N Cite III. Open your document and log in to Write N Cite. After you have logged in, click on Tools > Revert to WNC V.2 Document and revert the document. Then save the document. After saving, from within Write N Cite, click on Tools > Convert to WNC III Document > Convert. After the document is converted, save the document. Then try creating your bibliography again.

NB. An alternative explanation/solution was found by Googling the error message:

From: James F Brett

I dealt with the same issue yesterday. The problem was (or I think was) that the student had inserted citations into her doc using WnC but had nor used edit citation function to remove an in-text citation. She simply deleted the citations in Word and kept on going with the document. We backed up to her original document that had no inserted citations, then inserted a couple of citations and were able to successfully format her document.
http://refworks.blog.lib.mcmaster.ca/2009/01/21/write-n-cite-problem/

Write-n-Cite & Windows 7

We got a message from RefWorks stating that WNC III has been tested for issues with Windows 7. No issues were found, so anyone can use Write-n-Cite III with Windows 7.

Tip: switch to Write-n-Cite III

For all you out there still using Write-n-Cite (WNC) version II to let RefWorks talk with Word for citing and formatting papers it may be a good thing to switch to the next version, Write-n-Cite III. The main advantage is that it uses just one version of your doucment. So there's no more hassling with a seperate 'editing document' and a 'final formatted document'. And what is more: it is compatible with Vista en Word 2007.

WNC III is available for download at:
http://www.refworks.com/refworks/WNCDownload.asp

Vista? Word 2007? Install Write-n-Cite III !

From mail messages we learned that people may run into trouble when using MS Vista in combination with Word 2007 trying to use Write-n-Cite to cite references or create bibliographies. Problems should vanish with installation of the latest Write-n-Cite III. There is help on the RefWorks site as well.

Using Write-n-Cite off campus without using the group code

Just got a question from a student in a RefWorks class held last week on how to access the Write-n-Cite utility at home without using the group code.

On many UU-computers the Write-n-Cite utility that lets Refworks communicate with Word is already installed. When working off-campus you have to install this tiny program first from the RefWorks site at:

http://www.refworks.com/Refworks/WNCDownload.asp

But you're not fully there yet. After installing go to start|programs|refworks and start the WNC Proxy Configuration Utility and enter this URL:

http://131.211.208.19/login?url=https://www.refworks.com/Refworks/?WNC=true

Now, when starting Write-n-Cite (the red icon in your Refworks prgram group under start|programs) you will be promted first to log in with your Solis-ID/studentnumber and then with your RefWorks username and password.