  
PSS ID Number: Q65163
Article last modified on 05-01-1995
PSS database name: MSDOS
 
3.x 4.x 5.x 6.00 6.20 6.21 6.22
 
MS-DOS
 
How to Remove Spaces from an MS-DOS Filename or Subdirectory

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The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 3.x, 4.x, 5.x, 6.0,
   6.2, 6.21, 6.22
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SUMMARY
=======
 
Although your application program may allow you to enter a filename or
directory name that contains a space character, MS-DOS does not allow
filenames or directory names to have spaces in them.
 
If you create a filename containing a space, you cannot subsequently
remove, load, or delete the file unless you first rename it.
 
For example, if the file appears in the directory as
 
   TEST CAR  TXT    4098  01-01-80  3:10pm
 
then MS-DOS does not allow you to manipulate the file unless you
delete the space between "TEST" and "CAR."
 
If you create a directory name with a space in it, you must remove the
directory.
 
MORE INFORMATION
================
 
When MS-DOS parses the command line, it separates the various
parameters by looking for a space. MS-DOS commands and utilities view
the filename "AUG 1990.DAT" as two parameters: "AUG" and "1990.DAT."
Commands such as ERASE, COPY, and RENAME return an invalid parameter
error because it appears that an extra parameter is supplied.
 
Also, certain operations that application software can request MS-DOS
to perform require a filename. If the filename supplied to MS-DOS by
the application contains a space, MS-DOS may be unable to process the
request.
 
Modifying/Removing a File
-------------------------
 
Use the following procedure to rename and then modify a file with a
space in its name:
 
1. Use the MS-DOS RENAME command with a wildcard to replace the space
   with a legal filename character. For example:
 
      rename test?car.txt test_car.txt
 
   This example replaces the space with the underscore character.
 
   This method prevents MS-DOS from separating TEST and CAR.TXT as two
   separate parameters, but still allows MS-DOS to find the file. The
   file is renamed to TEST_CAR.TXT, which is a legal MS-DOS filename.
 
2. Delete, read, or modify the file using normal procedures.
 
Removing a Directory
--------------------
 
You can remove a directory that contains a space in its name by using
the Basic interpreter, which is included in MS-DOS (GW-Basic, BASICA,
or QBasic).
 
1. Start GW-Basic, BASICA, or QBasic, by typing its name and pressing
   ENTER.
 
2. In QBasic, press F6 to make the Immediate window active (this step is
   not necessary in GW-Basic or BASICA).
 
3. Use the MS-DOS RMDIR command to remove the directory. For example, use
   the following command to remove a directory called "HI THERE":
 
      rmdir "hi there" (and press ENTER)
 
   GW-Basic or BASICA respond with "OK"; QBasic does not respond.
 
4. To exit QBasic, choose Exit from the File menu; to exit GW-Basic or
    BASICA, type "system" (without quotation marks) and press ENTER.
 
NOTE: If you are using MS-DOS 6.0, 6.2, or 6.21, you can use MOVE to rename
illegal directories. For example, type the following at the MS-DOS command
prompt (you must type the quotation marks):
 
   move "my work" my_work
 
REFERENCES
==========
 
The user's guides for all Microsoft MS-DOS versions contain a section
on valid  MS-DOS filenames.
 
"Microsoft MS-DOS User's Guide and User's Reference version 4.0," page 16
"Microsoft MS-DOS User's Guide and Reference version 5.0," page 69
"Microsoft MS-DOS User's Guide versions 6.0-6.21," page 35
"Microsoft MS-DOS Upgrade User's Guide version 6.22," page 35
 
KBCategory: kbother kbprb
KBSubcategory: msdos
Additional reference words: 6.22 3.20 3.21 3.30 3.30a 4.00 4.01 4.01a 5.00
6.00 6.20 legal
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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1995.


 
