Creating Files in a Path that contains []

[esiemiat]

When I try to save an Excel spreadsheet for the first time in a path that
contains the characters '[' or ']' I receive an error that these characters
cannot be in the path. However, if I try to save a file that already exists
there it saves fine.

My question is why does Excel report this as an invalid path when these are
valid characters for a file or folder name? Also, if these do cause a
problem, why does Excel allow one to use and save an existing file using the
same path?

 

[Nick Hodge]

Excel will 'try' not to allow them as it confuses links in workbooks which
put [] around the workbook reference in external links

e.g (linked book open)

=[Book1]Sheet1!$A$2

I suspect if there is already [] in the file name Excel has to accept it,
but I suspect you cannot have external links. (Not tested)

--
HTH
Nick Hodge
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Southampton, England
(e-mail address removed)
web: www.nickhodge.co.uk
blog: www.nickhodge.co.uk/blog/

FREE UK OFFICE USER GROUP MEETING, MS READING, 27th APRIL 2007
www.officeusergroup.co.uk