Microsoft KB Archive/138282

= MSQuery: "Couldn't Read This File" Opening .qry File =

Article ID: 138282

Article Last Modified on 8/17/2005

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 95 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Query 2000

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This article was previously published under Q138282



SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Query 2.0, when you attempt to open a Query (*.qry) file by double-clicking the file in Windows Explorer or on the desktop, if the file has a long file name, you may receive the following error message and the file will not be opened:

Couldn't read this file



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1:

Rename the file so that the file name complies to the 8.3 file naming convention. Then, you can successfully open the file by double-clicking either the file or a shortcut to the file in Windows Explorer or on the desktop.

To rename a file, use the right mouse button to click the file and then click Rename on the Shortcut menu. Type the new file name and press ENTER.

Method 2:

Start Microsoft Query and open the .qry file by clicking Open on the File menu.

Keywords: KB138282

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