Mac file name restrictions/special characters

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Level 1

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Mac file name restrictions/special characters

What are the Mac OS file name restrictions? What are the special characters to avoid?

Is this a legitimate file name? Are the colons allowed?
/Users/Joe/Desktop/MyDocument 3:2:06.xls

Windows XP Pro

Windows XP Pro

Posted on May 4, 2007 10:56 AM

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Answer 1

Sagesse

Level 5

6,685 points

May 4, 2007 1:51 PM in response to webbie07

Welcome to Apple Discussions, Webbie07!

My quick look says that for OS X only the ":" (colon) is forbidden. I think for OS 9 "?" (frontslash) may also be forbidden.

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Answer 2

webbie07 Author

Level 1

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May 4, 2007 2:13 PM in response to webbie07

Thanks, Sagesse. I'm new to the Mac OS. Is it tied to Unix in such a way that the colons are allowed?

A user tried to provide a file with a name similar to that in my original post (e.g. "name 3:4:07.rtf") using a web form, and I'm at a loss as to how they could have saved it with the colons. Thank you for your assistance.

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Answer 3

May 4, 2007 4:19 PM in response to webbie07

Hi weebie07,

They saved the file in the Aqua environment as name 3/4/07.rtf. This will translate to name 3:4:07.rtf in the Darwin level. Avoid ":" and "/" in file names.

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Answer 4

etresoft

Level 9

56,572 points

May 5, 2007 6:04 PM in response to webbie07

If you are using the terminal, you can create files and folders with a ':'. When viewed in the Finder, the ':' in those files and folders will show up with a '/'.

If you are using the Finder, you can create files and folders with a '/'. When viewed in the terminal, the '/' in those files will show up with a ':'.

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