Richard Kapit
Level 1 (9 points)
Mac OS X

Q: OSX sometimes places 31 character limit on file names. How can I get this error to stop?

This error notice doesn't make sense, since many of my file names exceed 31 char. This error message pops up when saving documents, esp. web pages. As a consequence, OSX will refuse to let me save the file, until I shorten the name and so remove informative identifying features of the file name. But most of the time, OSX is perfectly happy to save files with names longer than 31 char. How can I get this error notice and block to turn off?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Sep 3, 2014 9:48 AM

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Richard Kapit

Q: OSX sometimes places 31 character limit on file names. How can I get this error to stop?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 3, 2014 12:41 PM in response to Richard Kapit
    Level 10 (208,005 points)
    Applications
    Sep 3, 2014 12:41 PM in response to Richard Kapit

    Please post a screenshot that shows what you mean. Be careful not to include any private information.

    Start a reply to this message. Drag the image file into the editing window to upload it. You can also include text in the reply.

  • by Richard Kapit,

    Richard Kapit Richard Kapit Sep 5, 2014 12:05 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 5, 2014 12:05 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Linc, I've been unsuccessful in trying to duplicate the problem. It is one that has cropped up dozens  and dozens of times over a number of years. But next time it happens, I'll take note of the particular conditions under which it occurs. I thought it occurred when I tried to save a web page, or print/save a web page, as a pdf file. But I tried both those things, with a name that was longer than 31 characters, and it didn't happen. If it happens again during the next couple of days, I'll send you another reply with a screen shot.

  • by Kikage,

    Kikage Kikage Sep 7, 2014 6:35 PM in response to Richard Kapit
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 7, 2014 6:35 PM in response to Richard Kapit

    I have also seen this issue it occurs regularly when transferring word documents files from my Macbook Pro running OSX 10.5.8 to my iMac running 10.9.4.31 character limit.tiff

     

    My iMac HD should be formatted to factory standards as well since I have not mucked around with it since I bought it.

  • by SGF01,

    SGF01 SGF01 Sep 8, 2014 8:46 AM in response to Kikage
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 8, 2014 8:46 AM in response to Kikage

    I am also getting the same problem. Today is the first time I experienced it since using my MacBook Pro for the last 2 years. I get the same error message as posted by Kikage when trying to save an email from Mail onto the internal HD. The strange thing is that the same HD location contains several files with names longer than 31 characters that I had saved myself prior to commencement of this problem. Any ideas how to resolve this issue would be greatly appreciated.

  • by Richard Kapit,

    Richard Kapit Richard Kapit Sep 9, 2014 6:29 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 9, 2014 6:29 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Hi Linc! It happened again. Here is the screenshotScreen Shot 2014-09-09 at 9.22.10 AM.png

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 9, 2014 7:00 AM in response to Richard Kapit
    Level 10 (208,005 points)
    Applications
    Sep 9, 2014 7:00 AM in response to Richard Kapit

    Are you sharing the folder via SMB? AFP?

  • by Richard Kapit,

    Richard Kapit Richard Kapit Sep 9, 2014 8:35 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 9, 2014 8:35 AM in response to Linc Davis

    I have a home network. Two Macbooks share folders.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 9, 2014 8:46 AM in response to Richard Kapit
    Level 10 (208,005 points)
    Applications
    Sep 9, 2014 8:46 AM in response to Richard Kapit

    Turn off file sharing and see whether there's any change.

  • by Richard Kapit,

    Richard Kapit Richard Kapit Sep 10, 2014 11:57 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 10, 2014 11:57 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Before I try this, Linc, please tell me, is file sharing being on necessary to transfer files between the two Macbooks? I use both machines constantly, and if I was unable to share files between them, I would rather live by the 31 character limit.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Sep 10, 2014 12:11 PM in response to Richard Kapit
    Level 10 (208,005 points)
    Applications
    Sep 10, 2014 12:11 PM in response to Richard Kapit

    is file sharing being on necessary to transfer files between the two Macbooks?

    On at least one of them, yes. I'm suggesting a test. You can turn it back on afterwards.

  • by frankxiv,

    frankxiv frankxiv Jun 3, 2015 7:41 AM in response to Richard Kapit
    Level 2 (424 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 3, 2015 7:41 AM in response to Richard Kapit

    This is happening to me with OmniOutliner when I try to save something to the OmniPresence folder. The strange thing is that I am able to save the document as Untitled if I save it at the root Document folder. I am also able to save files from other programs in the OmniPresence folder. I have been trying to chase this bug with the OmniGroup for months and they have no answer for me. They do not think it is anything on their side and in fact, they pointed me to this thread to show that other people are having the same issue with other apps.