Error message of Invalid Characters in File Name (AutoCAD LT2007)

[Bud McK]

For years I have named files using a hyphen, ie 12-3456-1 REV 0.dwg, but today I am not able to open or save files containing the hyphen. Get an error message of "invalid character in file name". I've renamed such a file with the hyphen removed and it could be opened, but not "saved as" with the desired file name using a hyphen. Also could not save using an underscore in place of the hyphen. I have not knowingly changed any system variables. These are files at work which are referenced and requested by both my company and its customers by existing file name, so renaming hundreds of files is not an option. Any suggestions on a fix for this? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[ReMark]

Did you try shutting down AutoCAD completely then restarting? Maybe it is a momentary glitch.

 

Have you tired including a dash in a file name using another Windows program like MS Word?

Edited October 4, 2013 by ReMark

[Bud McK]

Thank you so much for your help ReMark!

I restarted AutoCAD but the glitch remained. Your suggestion made sense to me since rebooting often works for other glitches with items such as modems and cable boxes so I restarted a second time.

Ka-chingggg! It worked ... problem resolved. If anyone runs into a similar error message which obviously makes no sense, I would suggest trying multiple restarts if the first restart does not remedy the situation.

btw ... even with the glitch still active I was able to save the files in pdf format using hyphens.

[ReMark]

Sometimes if a soft shutdown doesn't work (just the malfunctioning program) a hard shutdown will. That's where you shut down (not Restart) your computer. Cleans out the cobwebs.

 

Glad to hear the restart worked in your case. Thank you for updating and Welcome to the CADTutor forum.

 

Hope to see you around.

 

ReMark