Microsoft KB Archive/137877

PPT: Invalid Filename Error When Saving Mac PowerPoint File

PSS ID Number: Q137877 Article last modified on 05-16-1998

macintosh:3.0,3.0b,4.0

MACINTOSH

================================================================ ==

The information in this article applies to:

 == Microsoft PowerPoint for the Macintosh, versions 3.0, 3.0b, 4.0 == 

= SYMPTOMS =

When choosing Save or Save As from the File menu in PowerPoint, you may receive an error message similar to the following:

Sorry, the filename is invalid.

The error message may appear regardless of what name you give the file.

= CAUSE =

This error occurs when PowerPoint has used all of its allocated memory or when the directory has become corrupted.

= RESOLUTION =

NOTE: You will lose any work done since the last successful save.

Quit PowerPoint and perform a clean rebuild of the Desktop using the following steps:

  If you are running System 7.5x or later, open the Extensions Manager control panel and disable all extensions and control panels except Macintosh Easy Open. If you are running a version of System earlier than 7.5x, create a new folder in the System Folder and name it OldExtensions. Move all files from the Extensions Folder to this folder. (An empty Extensions Folder disables all extensions.)   Restart the computer while holding down the OPTION and COMMAND keys. This will bring up a dialog box that asks you if you are sure you want to rebuild the Desktop file.   Click OK.   System 7.5x or later: Once the Desktop has been rebuilt, open the Extensions Manager control panel and turn all of the extensions and control panels back on. System earlier than 7.5x: Move the contents of OldExtensions from step 1 back to the Extensions folder.   Restart the computer. 

This should eliminate any minor corruption in the folder. If necessary, allocate more memory to PowerPoint by using the following steps:


 * 1) Click the PowerPoint program icon once to select it.
 * 2) On the File menu, click Get Info.
 * 3) Click and drag the cursor in the Preferred Size text box to highlight the existing value.
 * 4) Type a higher value in the Preferred Size text box.
 * 5) Click the Close box in the upper-left corner of the Get Info window.

You should now be able to save PowerPoint files as expected.

= MORE INFORMATION =

Restarting the computer usually eliminates minor problems in the HFS directory structure. Rebuilding the Desktop serves as preventative maintenance so that additional corruption will not occur.

Additional query words: 3.00 3.00b 4.00 macppt m_powerpt powerpnt m_ppt mac ppt ====================================================================== Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg Version : macintosh:3.0,3.0b,4.0 Platform : MACINTOSH Hardware : MAC Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1998.