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
 

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The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft PowerPoint for the Macintosh, versions 3.0, 3.0b, 4.0
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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:
 
1. 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.)
 
2. 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.
 
3. Click OK.
 
4. 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.
 
5. 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
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Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg
Version           : macintosh:3.0,3.0b,4.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Hardware          : MAC
Issue type        : kbprb
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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1998.