Problems Opening or Locating Files Using UNC Path

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

If there is a space in the universal naming convention (UNC) path, any of the following problems may occur in Word for Windows:

1. Find File Command

   When you choose File Find from the File menu, Word finds no files, even though the files actually exist in the location indicated. You can view the files in Windows File Manager, and you can open the files in Word.

2. INCLUDE or INCLUDETEXT Fields

   The result of an INCLUDE or INCLUDETEXT field is "Error! Not a valid filename."

3. Modify Location Dialog Box

   The following error message occurs when you select a directory on a UNC drive that contains a space in the Modify Location dialog box:

         Not a valid directory.
   

   (Note: To open the Modify Location dialog box, choose Options from the Tools menu, select the File Locations tab, and then choose the Modify button.)

4. Attaching data source to mail merge main document.

   No error message occurs, but the data file does not appear in the Mail Merge Helper dialog box.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Word versions 6.0 and 6.0a for Windows. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

WORKAROUNDS

Method 1: Remove any spaces from the UNC path.

Method 2: Add the NoLongNetNames=yes setting to the [Microsoft Word]

          section of the WINWORD6.INI file. This setting instructs Word
          to always use the logical drive letter instead of the UNC path.

          For more information about the NoLongNetNames setting, query on
          the following words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

             NoLongNetNames and

MORE INFORMATION

Word uses the UNC path whenever possible. A space in the UNC path may not cause a problem in other Word commands, even when one of the other problems occurs.