OFF97: OFF97: Errors Opening File with Long File Name

• Microsoft Office 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft PowerPoint versions 2000, 97 For Windows

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SYMPTOMS

When opening a file from Microsoft Windows Explorer, with any of the programs listed above, you may receive one of the following error messages:

Microsoft Excel

<Path and file name> could not be found. Check the spelling of the name, and verify that the file location is correct.

If you are trying to open the file from your list of most recently used files on the File menu, make sure the file has not been renamed, moved, or deleted.

Microsoft Word

Word cannot open the document. Try one or more of the following:
* On the File menu, click Open to open the document.
* Make sure the document has a *.doc extension (<path and file
name>).

Microsoft PowerPoint

The path or file name for <partial path and file name> is invalid.

where <Path and file name> is the location and name of the file you attempted to open.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:

• You open the file by right-clicking the file while holding the SHIFT key down and clicking Open With. In the Open With dialog box, you choose Excel or Word.


-and-


• The file in question has a long file name. That is, the first part of its name exceeds eight characters in length.

WORKAROUND

After following the steps below, a new instance of the program will be started each time you click the icon or run the program in any way.

To work around this problem, follow these steps:

1. Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop.



2. On the View menu, click Options. In the Options dialog box, click the File Type tab.



3. In the Registered File Type list, select Microsoft Excel Worksheet and click Edit.



4. In the Edit File Type dialog box, click Open from the Actions list. Click Edit.



5. In the Editing Action For Type dialog box, click to clear the Use DDE check box. Type %1 at the end of the command-line displayed in the "Application Used To Perform Action" box. For example, the following command line




"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Excel.exe" /e 

would be changed to:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Excel.exe" /e %1 

6. Click OK and then click Close twice.



7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 choosing Microsoft Word document in step 3.



8. Repeat steps 2 through 6 choosing Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation in step 3.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information on similar problems, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q177248 XL97: Errors Opening Workbook from Windows Explorer

Q139849 WD97: Error: "Word Cannot Open Document" with Long File Name

Q149815 WordPad Error Message: Cannot Find the File

Additional query words: off97 lfn 8.3 NT4 Win95

Keywords          : kberrmsg 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000,97
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: May 25, 1999