macOS 26.4: Chrome Save As fails with spaces in filename

William Zeallor wrote:

In my case, if a space is anywhere after the period, the Save As name field fails to populate. So, in Word for example, using Save As on "Report 2026.01 Final.docx" results in a blank Save As name field. The file name can't even be pasted into the field.

Indeed, that's the bug. Unless/until it's addressed by Apple, your only recourse is to use a different file name.

neuroanatomist wrote:

This appears to be a bug in macOS 26.4. It is not limited to browsers, it also occurs in Save / Save As dialog boxes native apps (e.g. Keynote) and 3rd party apps (e.g. MS Word). Typing a filename with period-space results in the field being cleared, pasting in copied text with the period-space anywhere in the text fails.

Bugs can be reported to Apple here (but it seems Apple has not added 26.4 as an option, yet).

Feedback - macOS - Apple

I just wanted to share a workaround to this issue I have found. If you hold down the Option key when you have to hit a space that appears after a period in a file-name, the file name is NOT cleared. There is clearly some sort of miscommunication going on in the OS for space-presses when typing into certain fields, though for me it is only if a space follows a period (it can be directly after, or several characters after).

Just thought that might help a few people, because I was unable even to copy-paste file names into the Save-As field for apps if the file name would violate this strange bug.

Best to all.

colby173 wrote:

I just wanted to share a workaround to this issue I have found. If you hold down the Option key when you have to hit a space that appears after a period in a file-name, the file name is NOT cleared.

Note that Option-Space is a it's a non-breaking space, a different character than Space. It works, but it will sort separately from Space in an alphabetical sort (may be an issue for those with older space-containing file names with new option-space names mixed in).

Have you installed and run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN apps on your Mac?

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

leobraun wrote:

leroydouglas wrote:

periods are not part of the acceptable file names in macOS

That's not true - periods are fully acceptable, as well as spaces.

It's quite a serious bug and must be addressed urgently.

Although I suspect that some 3rd-party software is involved as most users are not affected by this bug (I can't reproduce it on two machines, for example).

In that case please download and run Etrecheck.  The free version is sufficient.

Copy and paste the results into your reply. Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here in the ASC to provide a snapshot of the system and help identify the more obvious culprits that can adversely affect a Mac's performance.

Copy the report

and after clicking on the Reply button use the Additional Text button to paste the report in your reply.

Then we can examine the report and see if we can determine the cause of the problem.

It appears that the problem happens when the file extensions are disabled in the Save dialog (that is, when the useless "Hide extensions" option is enabled.) Make sure to disable it.

This appears to be a bug in macOS 26.4. It is not limited to browsers, it also occurs in Save / Save As dialog boxes native apps (e.g. Keynote) and 3rd party apps (e.g. MS Word). Typing a filename with period-space results in the field being cleared, pasting in copied text with the period-space anywhere in the text fails.

Bugs can be reported to Apple here (but it seems Apple has not added 26.4 as an option, yet).

Feedback - macOS - Apple

Worth noting that on iPadOS 26.4, I can save a file with period-space in the filename.

Camelot wrote:

Saves just fine OMM (Tahoe 26.5/Word 16.107.4)

And there's the .5 thing: the current release version has a bug; it appears that the bug may be fixed in the upcoming version.

Also, I just noticed that an interim 26.4.1 is available (I am still at 26.4). Maybe that already has the fix.

Camelot wrote:

All 'Hide Extensions' does on my system is show/hide the document-specific extension (e.g. .pages, .numbers, .docx, etc.) it still doesn't prevent me adding periods and spaces to the file name:

As we know now, the bug happens regardless of the "Hide Extension" choice.

The bug happens when you enter a space after a dot before the extension (and possibly some other cases of dots and spaces right before the file extension); I posted an example here:

https://community.adobe.com/questions-671/missing-document-name-in-save-as-and-export-dialog-in-indesign-on-macos-26-4-1555672?postid=7536126#post7536126

Old Toad wrote:

Although I suspect that some 3rd-party software is involved as most users are not affected by this bug (I can't reproduce it on two machines, for example).

In that case please download and run Etrecheck.  The free version is sufficient.

Nope, my speculations about 3rd-party software turned out to be incorrect. It's a bug in macOS 26.4.

In my case, a period anywhere in the filename other than in connection with the extension causes this problem in 26.4.1 - i.e., a period followed by either a space or any alphanumeric character will cause this behavior. AppleCare was useless when I called and worse, they were gaslighting me - "must be your 3rd-party software". Maddening.

yhzh wrote:

On macOS 26.4, when I try to save a file from Chrome browser, if I include a space in the filename in the "Save As" dialog, the system either clears the entire filename or refuses to save the file.

For your third party app——if in doubt search the developers website or contact their: Support/Help/FAQ/Known issues/compatibility/updates…

Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support

Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support

if no update or resolve and you want to implicate the macOS...

verify your software is up to date—

The current stable release of Tahoe including bug fixes, security updates is macOS 26.4

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

To be proactive you can file a bug report / submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple

@LDubzzz

Yes, it's a system-wide bug introduced on macOS 26.4 with no solution in the current version. If you check some earlier messages in this thread, you'll find a hint on when this will be fixed.

Interesting. "Hide Extension" is not enabled for me. But, as soon as I hit spacebar somewhere after a period, "Hide Extension" becomes enabled and the entered file name is removed.

pmstoll wrote:

I have this issue on Mac products, not just third party. I noticed it using Preview and Word.

This is a glitch which needs to be fixed because I label many of my files with periods. Very annoying.

periods are not part of the acceptable file names in macOS— the period is used as the separator for file type,

or leading hidden files. ex:

Cross platform acceptability and

some characters to avoid in filenames:

:

/ 

\ 

< 

> 

|

? 

*

periods (.)

Others listed here:

Cross-platform filename best practices and conventions - Apple Support

https://web.archive.org/web/20160217141028/support.apple.com/en-us/HT202808

for your "very annoying" —submit your feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple