Help and Support
 

powered byLive Search

OFF: Default File Extension Added to Filename Using Save As

Article ID:131161
Last Review:January 19, 2007
Revision:2.2
This article was previously published under Q131161

SYMPTOMS

In the Microsoft applications listed above, when you change or add an extension to a filename in the Save As dialog box, an additional extension may be added to the filename. For example, if you use the Save As dialog box in Microsoft PowerPoint to save your presentation as SLIDES.ABC, the file may be saved as SLIDES.ABC.PPT.

Back to the top

CAUSE

When you save a file in the Save As dialog box, the extension defaults to match the file type listed in the Save As Type box. If you change the extension or add an extension, the default extension is appended to the new extension.

When you save a document in Microsoft Word, the default extension that appears in the Save As Type list is Word Document (*.doc). If you save a file with an extension other than *.doc while this default extension is selected in the Save As Type list, the extension .DOC is appended to the filename that you entered. For example, if you save a file as TEST.DAT while Word Document (*.doc) is selected in the Save As Type list, the file is saved as TEST.DAT.DOC.

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Windows 95. The extension that appears in the Save As Type list is appended to the filename when you save a file, even if you enter an extension for the file. Note however that the extension is not appended if you enter the same extension that appears in the Save As Type list. For example, if you save your Microsoft Excel worksheet as TEST.XLS while Microsoft Excel Workbook (*.xls) is selected in the Save As Type list, the file is saved as TEST.XLS, not as TEST.XLS.XLS.

This behavior occurs because of the functionality of using long file names, and the ability to save a file with a filename that contains a period (.). The file extension in Microsoft Windows 95 identifies the file type. Because of this, if you save a file with a file extension that is not registered in Windows, such as .DAT, the file type is displayed as DAT File.

Back to the top

WORKAROUND

To save a file with an extension other than one of the extensions available in the Save As Type list, enclose the entire filename in quotation marks as in the following examples:
"test.dat"

-or-

"slides.dat"
Note that you can also turn off the display of file extensions for registered file types in Windows by doing the following in Windows Explorer or My Computer:

1.On the View menu, click Options.
2. Click the View tab.
3. Select the "Hide MS-DOS File Extensions For File Types That Are Registered" check Box, and then click OK.

Back to the top


APPLIES TO
Microsoft Office 95 Standard Edition
Microsoft Office 97 Standard Edition
Microsoft Excel 95 Standard Edition
Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition
Microsoft PowerPoint 95 Standard Edition
Microsoft PowerPoint 97 Standard Edition
Microsoft Word 95 Standard Edition
Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition
Microsoft Project 4.1 Standard Edition
Microsoft Access 95 Standard Edition
Microsoft Access 97 Standard Edition

Back to the top

Keywords: 
KB131161

Back to the top

Article Translations

 

Other Support Options

  • Need More Help?
    Contact a Support professional by Email, Online or Phone.
  • Customer Service
    For non-technical assistance with product purchases, subscriptions, online services, events, training courses, corporate sales, piracy issues, and more.
  • Newsgroups
    Pose a question to other users. Discussion groups and Forums about specific Microsoft products, technologies, and services.