XL2000: Workbook Name Contains Invalid Characters (215205)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
This article was previously published under Q215205

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, you may see any of the following behaviors:
  • The name of the workbook may contain either of the bracket characters: [ ]

    -or-

  • The name on the sheet tab for the workbook contains the file name extension and a ] character preceding the sheet names, for example, .xls]Sheet1

    -or-

  • When you rename a sheet that contains the file name extension and ] character, you receive the following error message: 
    While renaming a sheet or chart, you entered an invalid name. Try one of 
the following:

 - Make sure the name you entered does not exceed 31 characters.
 - Make sure the name does not contain any of the following characters: 
   : \ / ? * [ or ]
 - Make sure you did not leave the name blank.

CAUSE

These behaviors may occur when you do either of the following:
  • You programmatically save a file with a file name that includes the [ or ] characters.

    -or-
  • You open a file that was renamed outside of Excel, with a file name that includes the [ or ] characters.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, save the file using a new name without [ or ] characters.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

When you programmatically save a file, Excel does not validate the file name by checking for either the [ or ] characters. Therefore, Visual Basic for Applications allows you to save a file with either or both of these characters.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/25/2003
Keywords:kbbug kbnofix KB215205
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.