WD97: Batch Conversion Macro Causes Error Converting File

ID: Q168423

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you use the StartConversionWizard (formerly called BatchConversion) supplied with Microsoft Word, you may receive one of the following errors:

Word cannot complete the conversion of this file--<filename>. Would you like to continue with the batch conversion?

-or-

Converter Error

When you click OK, the following error message is displayed:

Word cannot complete the conversion of this file--<filename>. Would you like to continue with the batch conversion?

When you click Yes, the same error message is repeated four times. On the third and fourth occurrence of this message, the file name extension (for example, .doc) will not appear in the error message.

CAUSE

Case 1: File Name and/or Folder Name Exceeds 255 Characters

If a file name or folder name exceeds 255 characters, you receive the error:

Word cannot complete the conversion of this file--<filename>. Would you like to continue with the batch conversion?

This error appears once for each file matching this description.

Case 2: Same Format Converting From and To

This error message will appear if the format of the document selected for conversion is the same as the format you are converting to.

For example, this problem will occur under the following conditions:

You are converting from WordPerfect 5.1 to Word 97.

-and-

A Word 97 file exists in the batch of files you have selected for conversion.

You will receive the error message when the Batch Conversion Wizard attempts to convert the Word 97 document to Word 97 format.

Case 3: Insufficient Disk Space

This problem may occur when the StartConversionWizard source folder is set to a drive that has insufficient disk space, regardless of whether the destination folder is set to a different drive that has plenty of available disk space.

When there is insufficient disk space available on the drive containing the source folder, Microsoft Word does cannot create temporary files; therefore, Word is unable to complete the conversion of any of the remaining files.

Case 4: Files with Numerical Names

Sometimes this message is followed by the same error message again once or even twice, but instead of the file name extension appearing in the error message, the extension specified in the error message is two periods (..).

Word will randomly save some but not all of the files after they have been converted. For example if six files were chosen for conversion, Word may only save 1, 2, or 3 of the files or none at all after the Conversion Wizard is finished with the conversion process. The files not saved will remain open on the screen in Word and can be saved manually.

This problem occurs if the file names of the files being converted begin with a numerical character, as in the following examples:

03604.doc
1212.01
444.555
1.doc
0003.xx

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the method appropriate for the type of problem you are having.

Case 1: File Name and/or Folder Name Exceeds 255 Characters

Rename your file or folder to be fewer than a total of 255 characters.

NOTE: Because there are several versions of Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, please consult your product documentation to complete these steps.

To change the name of a file or folder, follow these steps:

If renaming a file, close it in any program that may have it open.

In My Computer or Windows Explorer, click to select the file or folder you want to rename. Do not open it.

On the File menu, click Rename.

Type the new name, and then press ENTER.

NOTE: A file name can cannot contain any of the following characters:

\ / : * ? " < > |

Case 2: Same Format Converting From and To

Method 1 - Select documents with Format Other Than the "Convert To" Format:

In the File Selection area of the Batch Conversion Wizard dialog box, do not select documents for conversion whose file type matches the conversion type. For example, if you are converting from WordPerfect 5.1 to Word 97 document format, do not select a Word 97 document for conversion to Word 97 format.

Method 2 - Move Documents of Same File Type to Another Location:

Move the documents having the same file format as the "convert to" type to a different directory or folder prior to running the Batch Conversion Wizard. For example, if you are converting documents to Word 97, move any Word 97 documents out of the folder before running the conversion macro.

Method 3 - Run the Batch Conversion and Ignore the ERROR MESSAGE

All files whose format differs from the format you are converting to will be converted properly.

Case 3: Insufficient Disk Space

Make sure there is enough disk space available on the drive where the source folder is located, or, move the files that need to be converted to another drive that has more available disk space. The amount of space needed depends on the number and size of the files you are converting.

Case 4: Files with Numerical Names

Rename the documents with alpha characters for file names instead of numeric characters. The file extension can remain numerical.

STATUS

We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information on how to access this macro, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q162490 WD97: How to Access Sample Macros for Word 97

Once you have Convert8.wiz open, use the following steps to run the StartConversionWizard:

On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and click Macros.

Click StartConversionWizard and click Run.

Additional query words: 8.0 conv convert

Keywords : kbother kbtool kbusage winword word97
Version : WINDOWS:97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug