PRB: Error Messages when Opening Word Documents or Excel Workbooks with Internet Explorer

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0
• Microsoft Office 2000 Developer

SYMPTOMS

When opening a Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word document with Internet Explorer, you might receive an error message that the files Temporary.xls, Internet.xls, Temporary.doc, or Internet.doc could not be opened.

CAUSE

When Internet Explorer downloads a file, it places it in a temporary directory, which is usually named "Temporary Internet Files." When you open the file, Internet Explorer launches the application associated with the file's extension, and passes that application the full path and filename of the file. For example, for an .xls file, Internet Explorer might launch Excel.exe as follows:

C:\>Excel.exe C:\WINNT\PROFILES\user\Temporary Internet Files\85IFCTQN\page.xls

The problem occurs with path and filenames that contain spaces. The target application interprets these as multiple parameters. For the example above, Excel tries to open three files, "C:\WINNT\PROFILES\user\Temporary.xls," "Internet.xls," and "Files\85IFCTQN\page.xls"

RESOLUTION

Change your Internet Explorer "Temporary Internet Files" directory so that it does not contain spaces. You can specify a new directory in your Internet Control Panel applet by clicking the Settings button on the General tab.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in Internet Explorer 4.01.

Additional query words: mime type asp http vnd

Keywords : kbExcel kbIE400bug kbWord kbIE500betabug kbGrpDSO kbOffice2000
Version : WINDOWS:4.01,97; :
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb