Error Message: This File Could Not Be Found <Filename> This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.
This article was previously published under Q128959 SYMPTOMS
When you try to open a file in a 16-bit version of Microsoft Word for
Windows or Microsoft Excel, you receive the following error message:
This file could not be found <Filename>.
After you click OK, you receive another similar message:
This file could not be found <Filename.ext>
CAUSE
These error messages occur when you try to open a file whose 8.3 filename
contains a space. The space can be created in the filename by a 16-bit
Windows-based program that uses a Windows 95 common dialog box. The
filename is invalid because the 8.3 filename format does not allow spaces.
RESOLUTION
To correct the problem, rename the file to remove the space. To do so,
follow these steps:
MORE INFORMATION
If you type the same name for the file in Windows Explorer, Windows
Explorer creates a long filename with the space, and an 8.3 filename with
no space. When you open the file in a 16-bit Windows-based program there
is no space in the filename. For example, if you name a file "Test Doc.doc"
in Windows Explorer, the 8.3 filename that you see in 16-bit Windows-based
programs is Testdo~1.doc.
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