Microsoft KB Archive/102674

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Last reviewed: September 12, 1996

Article ID: Q102674 The information in this article applies to:
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.0a

In Microsoft Excel, you can open multiple files simultaneously by using the CTRL or SHIFT keys while selecting filenames in the Open dialog box. As you select files, the filenames are placed in the File Name box. The File Name box will recognize up to 246 characters. When the number of characters reaches 247, you will receive an error message similar to the following:

Sheet20.xl  Cannot find this file. Note that the filename is truncated. When the number of characters is 248 or more, you will receive an error message similar to the following:

Cannot find 'll.' Note that the filename in the error message may not resemble the name of the file that you were trying to open.

WORKAROUND
To work around either of these situations, open your files in smaller groups.

NOTE: In Microsoft Excel version 5.0, you cannot select more than 23 files in the Open dialog box. This behavior prevents you from receiving the error messages above.

For more information about opening multiple files in Microsoft Excel version 5.0, query on the following words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

maximum and selection and shift and 23