OFF97: Cannot Use Pound Character in File Name for a Hyperlink

• Microsoft Office 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

In any of the programs listed at the beginning of this article, when you create a hyperlink to another file, the file name may appear to be truncated. For example, a hyperlink to a file with the following path:

   c:\Files\My#Doc.xls

   c:\Files\My - 1.xls

   Cannot Open the Specified File.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the name of file to which you create the hyperlink contains a pound sign (#).

WORKAROUND

To workaround this problem, rename the file with a name that does not include the pound sign, and then recreate the hyperlink.

For more information about how to rename a file in Windows, see your Windows printed documentation or online Help.

To recreate the hyperlink, use the following steps:

1. Open the file that contains the link and select the cell that contains the problem hyperlink.

2. To erase the hyperlink, press DELETE.

3. To create a new hyperlink, click Hyperlink on the Insert menu.

4. Click Browse next to the "Link to File or URL" box and locate the file to which you want to create the hyperlink and click OK.

5. Click OK.

STATUS

This behavior is by design of the Microsoft products listed above.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q158300
   TITLE     : XL97: "Cannot Open Specified File" Clicking Hyperlink

REFERENCES

For more information about hyperlinks, click the Index tab in Microsoft Office Help, type the following text

   Hyperlinks