using extra periods in file names

[Kurt Ullman]

I have a client who uses the format of jobnumber.jobparttitle.doc in
their Word documents. for example:1794.06Posttest.doc.

They send stuff to me all the time using this format. But when I open
it, work on it and try to save it, Word will only save it as 1794.
I try to get around this with 1794_06, but then they convert it back
when they work on it and I got to retype the whole file name each time I
work on it... assuming I remember and don't just save it.
So.. in a world where I am using Word 2004 for Mac (version 11.3.5),
how do I get the program to save it correctly. My client seems to be
having no problems.
Thanks.

 

[John McGhie]

Hi Kurt:

I trust you have explained patiently to your client that periods have a
special significance in file names? They are the delimiter for the
extension.

Some file systems will permit you to use them elsewhere, but if you do, you
will get all manner of nasty side-effects.
"
That said, I was able to save a file named "1794.06Posttest.doc" without
problems here. How are you performing the save?

Cheers

I have a client who uses the format of jobnumber.jobparttitle.doc in
their Word documents. for example:1794.06Posttest.doc.

They send stuff to me all the time using this format. But when I open
it, work on it and try to save it, Word will only save it as 1794.
I try to get around this with 1794_06, but then they convert it back
when they work on it and I got to retype the whole file name each time I
work on it... assuming I remember and don't just save it.
So.. in a world where I am using Word 2004 for Mac (version 11.3.5),
how do I get the program to save it correctly. My client seems to be
having no problems.
Thanks.

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[Kurt Ullman]

That said, I was able to save a file named "1794.06Posttest.doc" without
problems here. How are you performing the save?

Save as... to put it in the project folder. Just tried it again
with the same outcome. Playing with it, when finder sees the file as
something.doc it saves it okay. But I also (for reasons I don't
understand) sometimes get it where finder just has the file as something
without the .doc extension. This is where the problems seem to come
about (at least with an n=1 study-grin). So, I guess my question is how
do I make sure that the .doc doesn't get lost somewhere along the way?
Annoying little problem. Thanks for the help with it.

 

[John McGhie]

Hi Kurt:

Set "Always add extensions" and make sure the extension is present.

If the extension is present, Word will leave the whole string alone. If the
extension is missing, Word will cut at the first period

Cheers

Save as... to put it in the project folder. Just tried it again
with the same outcome. Playing with it, when finder sees the file as
something.doc it saves it okay. But I also (for reasons I don't
understand) sometimes get it where finder just has the file as something
without the .doc extension. This is where the problems seem to come
about (at least with an n=1 study-grin). So, I guess my question is how
do I make sure that the .doc doesn't get lost somewhere along the way?
Annoying little problem. Thanks for the help with it.

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[Kurt Ullman]

Hi Kurt:

Set "Always add extensions" and make sure the extension is present.

If the extension is present, Word will leave the whole string alone. If the
extension is missing, Word will cut at the first period

Cheers

I have "append file extension" already checked. Is this the same thing?
I looked around preferences before I stumbled on this and found nothing.
Even with "append file extension" checked, when I am saving the blue
highlight ends at the first period.

K

 

[John McGhie]

Hi Kurt:

The blue highlight? There shouldn't be any highlight in that field...

Ahhh!! I see what's going on... Yes: you need to clear the highlight, then
add the last period and the extension when you are re-saving. Word thinks
the extension is already there.

I told you using periods in file names was a crazy idea that leads to
trouble Now we've found one place it does.

If you add .doc and clear the highlight, Word will save it with the name you
put there.

Cheers

I have "append file extension" already checked. Is this the same thing?
I looked around preferences before I stumbled on this and found nothing.
Even with "append file extension" checked, when I am saving the blue
highlight ends at the first period.

K

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]

 

[Kurt Ullman]

Hi Kurt:

The blue highlight? There shouldn't be any highlight in that field...

Ahhh!! I see what's going on... Yes: you need to clear the highlight, then
add the last period and the extension when you are re-saving. Word thinks
the extension is already there.

I told you using periods in file names was a crazy idea that leads to
trouble Now we've found one place it does.

If you add .doc and clear the highlight, Word will save it with the name you
put there.

Cheers

Thanks. I am assuming that I have to do that by hand EVERY time
which means I am at the mercy of my quickly fading memory (g).

 

[John McGhie]

No, only if you change the file name. Otherwise just hit "Save" and the
dialog won't appear...

Cheers

Thanks. I am assuming that I have to do that by hand EVERY time
which means I am at the mercy of my quickly fading memory (g).

--
Don't wait for your answer, click here: http://www.word.mvps.org/

Please reply in the group. Please do NOT email me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie, Consultant Technical Writer
McGhie Information Engineering Pty Ltd
http://jgmcghie.fastmail.com.au/
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, Australia
+61 4 1209 1410, mailto:[email protected]