Mysterious changes in new hyperlink - backslash becomes forward slash

[Artful_Dodger via OfficeKB.com]

Existing hyperlinks work ok but news I try to create are changing their
formatting after I create them.

Correct file name displayed at time manual selection of target file (in a
subordinate directory called "testing") in "Edit hyperlink" window is:

testing\Quiz number 2.doc

After closing the "Edit window" when I try to activate the link I get error
msg "Cannot open specified file."

File name displayed upon reopening "Edit hyperlink" window is:

testing/Quiz%20number%202.doc

The backslash has mysteriously and all of sudden been converted to a
forwardslash.

Existing hyperlinks still work and opening and closing the "Edit hyperlink"
window doesn't cause this chage.

Help please.

Richard

 

[Cindy M.]

Hi Artful_Dodger,

Check in Tools/Options/General/Web Options/File. Is the checkbox to "update
links" when saving activated? If it is, try deactivating and see if that
helps.

Existing hyperlinks work ok but news I try to create are changing their
formatting after I create them.

Correct file name displayed at time manual selection of target file (in a
subordinate directory called "testing") in "Edit hyperlink" window is:

testing\Quiz number 2.doc

After closing the "Edit window" when I try to activate the link I get error
msg "Cannot open specified file."

File name displayed upon reopening "Edit hyperlink" window is:

testing/Quiz%20number%202.doc

The backslash has mysteriously and all of sudden been converted to a
forwardslash.

Existing hyperlinks still work and opening and closing the "Edit hyperlink"
window doesn't cause this chage.

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 17 2005)
http://www.word.mvps.org

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any follow question or
reply in the newsgroup and not by e-mail

 

[Artful_Dodger via OfficeKB.com]

Thank you for your suggestion, Cindy. Alas, it doesn't help.

The most recent link I created started out as

Business\BUL 1240 -- Quiz#3.doc

but materialized finally as

Business/BUL%201240%20--%20Quiz#3.doc

Earlier links still have the backslash and still work.

There's no hyperlink base for this document, btw, for what it's worth.

I appreciate your efforts to help very much.

A. Dodger

Hi Artful_Dodger,

Check in Tools/Options/General/Web Options/File. Is the checkbox to "update
links" when saving activated? If it is, try deactivating and see if that
helps.

Existing hyperlinks work ok but news I try to create are changing their
formatting after I create them.

[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]

Existing hyperlinks still work and opening and closing the "Edit hyperlink"
window doesn't cause this chage.

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 17 2005)
http://www.word.mvps.org

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any follow question or
reply in the newsgroup and not by e-mail

 

[Cindy M.]

Hi Artful_Dodger,

Alas, it doesn't help.

The most recent link I created started out as

Business\BUL 1240 -- Quiz#3.doc

but materialized finally as

Business/BUL%201240%20--%20Quiz#3.doc

Earlier links still have the backslash and still work.
There's no hyperlink base for this document, btw, for what it's worth.

To bad it couldn't be that simple...

If you hold down CTRL to start Word in Safe Mode (I'm assuming 2002 or 2003,
here) does the behavior persist, or does it go away for the duration of that
session?

Check in Tools/Options/General/Web Options/File. Is the checkbox to "update
links" when saving activated? If it is, try deactivating and see if that
helps.

Existing hyperlinks work ok but news I try to create are changing their
formatting after I create them.

[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]

Existing hyperlinks still work and opening and closing the "Edit hyperlink"
window doesn't cause this chage.

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 17 2005)
http://www.word.mvps.org

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any follow question or reply
in the newsgroup and not by e-mail

 

[Artful_Dodger via OfficeKB.com]

No, that doesn’t affect behavior.

Two hyperlink on the same page work differently.

Link to doct # 1 as established in the dialog box before closing = Business\
BUL 1240 -- Quiz #3.doc

Link to doct # 1 as established in the dialog box AFTER closing =
Business/BUL%201240%20--%20Quiz#3.doc

Doesn’t work as a hyperlink.

Link to doct # 2 as established in the dialog box AFTER closing = Business/My%
20outline%20for%20BUL%201240.doc
(Don’t know form of link at time of creation. )

Does work.

If I create a new, second, duplicate link to doct # 2:

Second link to doct # 2 as established in the dialog box before closing =
Business\My outline for BUL 1240.doc

Second link to doct # 2 as established in the dialog box AFTER closing =
Business/My%20outline%20for%20BUL%201240.doc

Does work. (What the heck?)

New hyperlink in new blank document:

Third link to doct # 2 as established in the dialog box before closing = C:\
Docts\Misc\Employment\Business\My outline for BUL 1240.doc

Third link to doct # 2 as established in the dialog box AFTER closing = C:\
Docts\Misc\Employment\Business\My outline for BUL 1240.doc

Works.

Note, there is no transformation of the link with forward slashes and %20.

Thanks for your willingness to help.

A. Dodger.

=================================================================

Hi Artful_Dodger,

Alas, it doesn't help.

[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]

There's no hyperlink base for this document, btw, for what it's worth.

To bad it couldn't be that simple...

If you hold down CTRL to start Word in Safe Mode (I'm assuming 2002 or 2003,
here) does the behavior persist, or does it go away for the duration of that
session?

Check in Tools/Options/General/Web Options/File. Is the checkbox to "update
links" when saving activated? If it is, try deactivating and see if that [quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
Existing hyperlinks still work and opening and closing the "Edit hyperlink"
window doesn't cause this chage.

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 17 2005)
http://www.word.mvps.org

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any follow question or reply
in the newsgroup and not by e-mail

 

[Cindy M.]

Hi Artful_Dodger,

New hyperlink in new blank document:

Third link to doct # 2 as established in the dialog box before closing = C:\
Docts\Misc\Employment\Business\My outline for BUL 1240.doc

Third link to doct # 2 as established in the dialog box AFTER closing = C:\
Docts\Misc\Employment\Business\My outline for BUL 1240.doc

OK, if I'm reading this correctly, the problem is with a particular document
(or documents) and not generally with Word?

Is the document where the odd behavior is occurring NOT a *.doc, but some
other file format? Or was it originally created as something other than a WORD
document?

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 17 2005)
http://www.word.mvps.org

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any follow question or
reply in the newsgroup and not by e-mail

 

[Artful_Dodger via OfficeKB.com]

Correct. However, note that an entirely new Word doc will still convert the
backslashes to forward slashes and insert "%20" where there is a space in the
doc name. Link still works, tho.

The non-working link is in the original doc and it exists side by side with
working links.

I created doc only in Word. I even copied the whole doc (with ctrl-A) to a
new blank Word doc but this did not change the behavior.

It's not a serious problem at this point so I don't want to impose on you as
tho I'm stymied with some huge project. I just don't like to not understand
something like this. I'm used to "magical" behavior of Word and have learned
that most of it is due to some setting I'm unaware of, etc. This one has got
me buffaloed, however, and I'm also a bit nervous about whether this is the
harbinger of some more destructive instability.

If you want to forget this problem now that would be fine with me, however.
I appreciate your taking as much time as you have already.

AD

Hi Artful_Dodger,

New hyperlink in new blank document:

[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]

Third link to doct # 2 as established in the dialog box AFTER closing = C:\
Docts\Misc\Employment\Business\My outline for BUL 1240.doc

OK, if I'm reading this correctly, the problem is with a particular document
(or documents) and not generally with Word?

Is the document where the odd behavior is occurring NOT a *.doc, but some
other file format? Or was it originally created as something other than a WORD
document?

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 17 2005)
http://www.word.mvps.org

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any follow question or
reply in the newsgroup and not by e-mail

 

[Artful_Dodger via OfficeKB.com]

PS -- I just noticed that hyperlinks I created in a new document still end up
with forward slashes and "%20" for spaces in the file names. Why this sudden
shift in format, I do not know.

However, I note that when a file name contains the symbol "#" the link won't
work. If I replace it with a hyphen the link works.

Correct. However, note that an entirely new Word doc will still convert the
backslashes to forward slashes and insert "%20" where there is a space in the
doc name. Link still works, tho.

The non-working link is in the original doc and it exists side by side with
working links.

I created doc only in Word. I even copied the whole doc (with ctrl-A) to a
new blank Word doc but this did not change the behavior.

It's not a serious problem at this point so I don't want to impose on you as
tho I'm stymied with some huge project. I just don't like to not understand
something like this. I'm used to "magical" behavior of Word and have learned
that most of it is due to some setting I'm unaware of, etc. This one has got
me buffaloed, however, and I'm also a bit nervous about whether this is the
harbinger of some more destructive instability.

If you want to forget this problem now that would be fine with me, however.
I appreciate your taking as much time as you have already.

AD

Hi Artful_Dodger,

[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any follow question or
reply in the newsgroup and not by e-mail

 

[Cindy M.]

Hi Artful_Dodger,

However, I note that when a file name contains the symbol "#" the link won't
work. If I replace it with a hyphen the link works.

OK, then you at least have a workaround that can keep you productive.

However, note that an entirely new Word doc will still convert the
backslashes to forward slashes and insert "%20" where there is a space in the
doc name. Link still works, tho.

The non-working link is in the original doc and it exists side by side with
working links.

I created doc only in Word. I even copied the whole doc (with ctrl-A) to a
new blank Word doc but this did not change the behavior.

I have to admit, I'm pretty much out of ideas. Apparently, it's not some add-in
or Registry "hiccup", since starting in Safe Mode didn't change anything.

About the only thing left I can suggest is to fiddle with all the settings in
"Web options" and "Email options" to find out if one of these is causing the
bevahior.

Beyond that, the only thing that occurs to me is that this is something Word
may be picking up from the Windows environment - maybe something that's telling
it it's working in the Internet (hmmm, you're not working through a browser
window, by any chance?).

You could see what happens if you start Windows in Safe Mode.

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 17 2005)
http://www.word.mvps.org

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any follow question or reply
in the newsgroup and not by e-mail

 

[Artful_Dodger via OfficeKB.com]

Thank you so much for your input, Cindy. That are all good ideas. I like
the "thinks it's on the internet" line of attack. Something odd about that
forward slash dea. No, I'm not working thru a browser. I'll post any
additional discoveries I might make. I presume you're set to be notified of
additional postings here.

Again, much thanks.

Richard

Hi Artful_Dodger,

However, I note that when a file name contains the symbol "#" the link won't
work. If I replace it with a hyphen the link works.

OK, then you at least have a workaround that can keep you productive.

However, note that an entirely new Word doc will still convert the
backslashes to forward slashes and insert "%20" where there is a space in the

[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]

I created doc only in Word. I even copied the whole doc (with ctrl-A) to a
new blank Word doc but this did not change the behavior.

I have to admit, I'm pretty much out of ideas. Apparently, it's not some add-in
or Registry "hiccup", since starting in Safe Mode didn't change anything.

About the only thing left I can suggest is to fiddle with all the settings in
"Web options" and "Email options" to find out if one of these is causing the
bevahior.

Beyond that, the only thing that occurs to me is that this is something Word
may be picking up from the Windows environment - maybe something that's telling
it it's working in the Internet (hmmm, you're not working through a browser
window, by any chance?).

You could see what happens if you start Windows in Safe Mode.

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 17 2005)
http://www.word.mvps.org

This reply is posted in the Newsgroup; please post any follow question or reply
in the newsgroup and not by e-mail

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Dodger,

What version of Word are you using and are the links pointing to a root (drive) folder?

The # sign in a URL (hyperlink) may be interpreted as a target to a specific name in the file) which could be what is changing. The
%20 is Web speak for a space, so that should generally still work.

=============
PS -- I just noticed that hyperlinks I created in a new document still end up
with forward slashes and "%20" for spaces in the file names. Why this sudden
shift in format, I do not know.

However, I note that when a file name contains the symbol "#" the link won't
work. If I replace it with a hyphen the link works. >>

--

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

 

[Artful_Dodger via OfficeKB.com]

Hello, Bob.

I am using Word 2003 SP2.

The link that shows up in the Address line of the Edit Hyperlink window
(before I close the window) is this:

Business\BUL 1240 -- Quiz 3.doc

If I close and reopen that window for that newly-created link I find it
transformed to this:

Business/BUL%201240%20--%20Quiz%203.doc

The link does work in this latter form even tho it points to a file on my
local drive. The "Business" subdirectory is three subdirectories down from
the root directory ("C:\").

It's still a mystery why the slashes are changed and why the spaces in the
file name are converted to "%20". Plenty of other links don't get
transformed that way, even in a new document I just created and in which I
inserted a link to the above file on the local drive. There are no forward
slashes, no "%20s", and no relative address To wit:

C:\Docts\Misc\Employment\Business\BUL 1240 -- Quiz 3.doc

Since the problem is with the "#" character (which I've now eliminated from
all file names) and functionality is back to normal, I'm happy.

I think your analysis of the # sign being interpreted as a reference to a
place inside the document is right on the money. Why didn't I think of that?



Thanks for your help.

A. Dodger.