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How to get a file in Windows with a colon in the filename?
The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are In
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)
The Ask Question Wizard is Live!
Data science time! April 2019 and salary with experienceofstream open(…) failing when I pass char pointer built from stringstreammake and open file in python errorJava File.getCanonicalFile() Cannot handle colon ':'Adding timestamp to a file in PYTHONPython Windows cannot stat files with invalid charactersshutil.move deletes the file on windows when new name contains a colon (and an extension)VBA Excel: list files in backup (prev. version) foldercannot open file named directory path + filename + current date and timeVariable name seems to be overwrittenHow can I develop for iPhone using a Windows development machine?How can you find out which process is listening on a port on Windows?Is there an equivalent of 'which' on the Windows command line?How can I pretty-print JSON in a shell script?How can I profile C++ code running on Linux?Extracting extension from filename in PythonWhy should text files end with a newline?Extract filename and extension in BashHow do I grep recursively?How do I install pip on Windows?
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I am getting errors from customers who are uploading files with a colon in the file name, i.e. C:/uploads/test : doc.html
I assume that some Unix or Linux system is generating the file but I'm not sure how the users are saving them with the invalid filename. I have coded a piece that should rename the document on upload. My problem is that I can't test it because I can't get a file on Windows that has a colon in the filename.
windows unix filenames colon
edited Jul 24 '14 at 23:33
vaxquis
7,85253958
asked Apr 30 '12 at 15:35
DavidDavid
163125
add a comment |
I am getting errors from customers who are uploading files with a colon in the file name, i.e. C:/uploads/test : doc.html
I assume that some Unix or Linux system is generating the file but I'm not sure how the users are saving them with the invalid filename. I have coded a piece that should rename the document on upload. My problem is that I can't test it because I can't get a file on Windows that has a colon in the filename.
windows unix filenames colon
edited Jul 24 '14 at 23:33
vaxquis
7,85253958
asked Apr 30 '12 at 15:35
DavidDavid
163125
6
There are a few characters that simply aren't allowed in Windows filenames, the colon is one of them. Sorry.
– Mark Ransom
Apr 30 '12 at 15:46
5
P.S. the full list of invalid characters is here: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/…
– Mark Ransom
Apr 30 '12 at 16:14
2
It might be possible to do this with the native API or from a device driver. But you wouldn't be able to upload the file from a Windows application, or indeed do anything else with it.
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
2
I often use fullwidth colon：in my file names. It's a Unicode character that looks very much like a colon so I use it where Windows won't allow the usual colon. It's visually surrounded by spaces that you can't remove. I stumbled upon it ages ago, now I just copy and paste it whenever I need it.
– adraedin
Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
add a comment |
I am getting errors from customers who are uploading files with a colon in the file name, i.e. C:/uploads/test : doc.html
I assume that some Unix or Linux system is generating the file but I'm not sure how the users are saving them with the invalid filename. I have coded a piece that should rename the document on upload. My problem is that I can't test it because I can't get a file on Windows that has a colon in the filename.
windows unix filenames colon
edited Jul 24 '14 at 23:33
vaxquis
7,85253958
asked Apr 30 '12 at 15:35
DavidDavid
163125
I am getting errors from customers who are uploading files with a colon in the file name, i.e. C:/uploads/test : doc.html
I assume that some Unix or Linux system is generating the file but I'm not sure how the users are saving them with the invalid filename. I have coded a piece that should rename the document on upload. My problem is that I can't test it because I can't get a file on Windows that has a colon in the filename.
windows unix filenames colon
windows unix filenames colon
edited Jul 24 '14 at 23:33
vaxquis
7,85253958
asked Apr 30 '12 at 15:35
DavidDavid
163125
edited Jul 24 '14 at 23:33
vaxquis
7,85253958
asked Apr 30 '12 at 15:35
DavidDavid
163125
edited Jul 24 '14 at 23:33
vaxquis
7,85253958
edited Jul 24 '14 at 23:33
vaxquis
7,85253958
edited Jul 24 '14 at 23:33
vaxquis
7,85253958
7,85253958
asked Apr 30 '12 at 15:35
DavidDavid
163125
asked Apr 30 '12 at 15:35
DavidDavid
163125
asked Apr 30 '12 at 15:35
DavidDavid
163125
163125
6
There are a few characters that simply aren't allowed in Windows filenames, the colon is one of them. Sorry.
– Mark Ransom
Apr 30 '12 at 15:46
5
P.S. the full list of invalid characters is here: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/…
– Mark Ransom
Apr 30 '12 at 16:14
2
It might be possible to do this with the native API or from a device driver. But you wouldn't be able to upload the file from a Windows application, or indeed do anything else with it.
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
2
I often use fullwidth colon：in my file names. It's a Unicode character that looks very much like a colon so I use it where Windows won't allow the usual colon. It's visually surrounded by spaces that you can't remove. I stumbled upon it ages ago, now I just copy and paste it whenever I need it.
– adraedin
Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
add a comment |
6
There are a few characters that simply aren't allowed in Windows filenames, the colon is one of them. Sorry.
– Mark Ransom
Apr 30 '12 at 15:46
5
P.S. the full list of invalid characters is here: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/…
– Mark Ransom
Apr 30 '12 at 16:14
2
It might be possible to do this with the native API or from a device driver. But you wouldn't be able to upload the file from a Windows application, or indeed do anything else with it.
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
2
I often use fullwidth colon：in my file names. It's a Unicode character that looks very much like a colon so I use it where Windows won't allow the usual colon. It's visually surrounded by spaces that you can't remove. I stumbled upon it ages ago, now I just copy and paste it whenever I need it.
– adraedin
Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
6
6
There are a few characters that simply aren't allowed in Windows filenames, the colon is one of them. Sorry.
– Mark Ransom
Apr 30 '12 at 15:46
There are a few characters that simply aren't allowed in Windows filenames, the colon is one of them. Sorry.
– Mark Ransom
Apr 30 '12 at 15:46
5
5
P.S. the full list of invalid characters is here: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/…
– Mark Ransom
Apr 30 '12 at 16:14
P.S. the full list of invalid characters is here: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/…
– Mark Ransom
Apr 30 '12 at 16:14
2
2
It might be possible to do this with the native API or from a device driver. But you wouldn't be able to upload the file from a Windows application, or indeed do anything else with it.
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
It might be possible to do this with the native API or from a device driver. But you wouldn't be able to upload the file from a Windows application, or indeed do anything else with it.
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
2
2
I often use fullwidth colon
： in my file names. It's a Unicode character that looks very much like a colon so I use it where Windows won't allow the usual colon. It's visually surrounded by spaces that you can't remove. I stumbled upon it ages ago, now I just copy and paste it whenever I need it.– adraedin
Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
I often use fullwidth colon
： in my file names. It's a Unicode character that looks very much like a colon so I use it where Windows won't allow the usual colon. It's visually surrounded by spaces that you can't remove. I stumbled upon it ages ago, now I just copy and paste it whenever I need it.– adraedin
Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
add a comment |
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
I found a very similar character to a colon, "꞉" it is a unicode character called a Modifier Letter Colon. This has no space like the fullwidth colon and is pretty much exactly the same as a regular colon but the symbol works. You can either copy and paste it from above or you can use the code point, U+A789
answered Aug 24 '14 at 23:27
JackJack
56759
2
Awesome. I've been tracking down these unicode replacements for filenames for a while now, so thank you! You are awesome. I know you didn't ask but, for what it's worth, if you ever need a question mark you can use '⁇' instead. (U+2047). For slashes you can use the division slash: '∕' (U+2215). Maybe someone will find those useful.
– Brent Rittenhouse
May 20 '18 at 9:32
add a comment |
A colon is an invalid character for a Windows file name. You won't be able to allow ':' in the file name, but you can work around it.
You can either do what it sounds like you have already done; create a script that replaces these invalid characters with valid ones on the UNIX side. Or, you can take care of this on the Windows server with File Name Character Translation: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289627
answered Apr 30 '12 at 15:49
MikeMike
1613
1
I believe I have solved the problem by renaming file uploads on the fly, but I need to somehow get a file onto a windows machine with a colon in the file name. Our customers are somehow doing it so it must be possible.
– David
Apr 30 '12 at 19:21
@David: what makes you think your customers are doing this? Are you sure the uploads are coming from Windows machines?
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
1
Be careful - you can create something called FOO:BAR, but what you've got then is a file named FOO containing a data stream named BAR (as well as the unnamed data stream). In a directory listing you'll just see FOO.
– dave
Apr 30 '12 at 23:35
I am getting error reporting with the attempted upload file name. I have confirmed that at least some of the attempted uploads were from windows machines.
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:16
1
I know is not intended but i somehow need to verify that my solution fixed the issue. How would I go about creating a file named foo:bar?
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:18
add a comment |
It's probable from the filename you provided that the character you have in your filenames is not a literal colon :, which is a reserved character in Windows filenames, but a fullwidth colon ： Instead. It's a Unicode character that looks very much like a colon, visually surrounded by spaces that you can't remove. You can handle it the very same way as any Unicode chacter, the code point is U+FF1A.
edited Jul 26 '14 at 12:25
vaxquis
7,85253958
answered Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
adraedinadraedin
411
1
this does not address the OPs question; while the advice is very good, you should either place this in a comment to question or ask/answer this in Q&A style as in Jeopardy, first asking "How to use colon in Windows filenames?" question, selecting Q&A style answer and providing this info there.
– vaxquis
Jul 24 '14 at 23:39
1
@vaxquis: on the contrary, I think it likely that this was indeed the cause of the OP's problem; he thought the filenames he was trying to deal with had colons in them, but they were probably fullwidth colons.
– Harry Johnston
Jul 26 '14 at 2:19
1
@HarryJohnston in that case, I'm editing the question to explicitly include this information
– vaxquis
Jul 26 '14 at 12:21
add a comment |
Other replacements I've found for reserved characters are
” ‹ › ⁎ ∕ ⑊ ＼︖ ꞉ ⏐
answered Jul 26 '18 at 23:48
aljgomaljgom
1,4541113
add a comment |
HOW TO NAME A FILE OR FOLDER USING A SYMBOL THAT LOOKS LIKE A COLON
In the example below, the font size is 12, with the exception of the symbol, which is set to Subscript, Bold and a font size of 16. The character code for the colon-like symbol is 02F8.
The reason for the Subscript setting is to position the symbol lower relative to its vertical position. The bold and larger font settings are applied so that the symbol is more discernible on the page, and have no affect when used in a file or folder name.
Example: (C˸) Symbol – Subscript, Calibri, Bold and font size of 16.
*Using Windows 7, and Word 2007
answered Sep 3 '18 at 3:44
JeffJeff
1
add a comment |
You can use the CJK(Chinese/Japan/Korean) one
"："
which is pretty generic.
answered Mar 22 at 5:32
imocimoc
1
add a comment |
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6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
I found a very similar character to a colon, "꞉" it is a unicode character called a Modifier Letter Colon. This has no space like the fullwidth colon and is pretty much exactly the same as a regular colon but the symbol works. You can either copy and paste it from above or you can use the code point, U+A789
answered Aug 24 '14 at 23:27
JackJack
56759
2
Awesome. I've been tracking down these unicode replacements for filenames for a while now, so thank you! You are awesome. I know you didn't ask but, for what it's worth, if you ever need a question mark you can use '⁇' instead. (U+2047). For slashes you can use the division slash: '∕' (U+2215). Maybe someone will find those useful.
– Brent Rittenhouse
May 20 '18 at 9:32
add a comment |
I found a very similar character to a colon, "꞉" it is a unicode character called a Modifier Letter Colon. This has no space like the fullwidth colon and is pretty much exactly the same as a regular colon but the symbol works. You can either copy and paste it from above or you can use the code point, U+A789
answered Aug 24 '14 at 23:27
JackJack
56759
2
Awesome. I've been tracking down these unicode replacements for filenames for a while now, so thank you! You are awesome. I know you didn't ask but, for what it's worth, if you ever need a question mark you can use '⁇' instead. (U+2047). For slashes you can use the division slash: '∕' (U+2215). Maybe someone will find those useful.
– Brent Rittenhouse
May 20 '18 at 9:32
add a comment |
I found a very similar character to a colon, "꞉" it is a unicode character called a Modifier Letter Colon. This has no space like the fullwidth colon and is pretty much exactly the same as a regular colon but the symbol works. You can either copy and paste it from above or you can use the code point, U+A789
answered Aug 24 '14 at 23:27
JackJack
56759
I found a very similar character to a colon, "꞉" it is a unicode character called a Modifier Letter Colon. This has no space like the fullwidth colon and is pretty much exactly the same as a regular colon but the symbol works. You can either copy and paste it from above or you can use the code point, U+A789
answered Aug 24 '14 at 23:27
JackJack
56759
answered Aug 24 '14 at 23:27
JackJack
56759
answered Aug 24 '14 at 23:27
JackJack
56759
answered Aug 24 '14 at 23:27
JackJack
56759
56759
2
Awesome. I've been tracking down these unicode replacements for filenames for a while now, so thank you! You are awesome. I know you didn't ask but, for what it's worth, if you ever need a question mark you can use '⁇' instead. (U+2047). For slashes you can use the division slash: '∕' (U+2215). Maybe someone will find those useful.
– Brent Rittenhouse
May 20 '18 at 9:32
add a comment |
2
Awesome. I've been tracking down these unicode replacements for filenames for a while now, so thank you! You are awesome. I know you didn't ask but, for what it's worth, if you ever need a question mark you can use '⁇' instead. (U+2047). For slashes you can use the division slash: '∕' (U+2215). Maybe someone will find those useful.
– Brent Rittenhouse
May 20 '18 at 9:32
2
2
Awesome. I've been tracking down these unicode replacements for filenames for a while now, so thank you! You are awesome. I know you didn't ask but, for what it's worth, if you ever need a question mark you can use '⁇' instead. (U+2047). For slashes you can use the division slash: '∕' (U+2215). Maybe someone will find those useful.
– Brent Rittenhouse
May 20 '18 at 9:32
Awesome. I've been tracking down these unicode replacements for filenames for a while now, so thank you! You are awesome. I know you didn't ask but, for what it's worth, if you ever need a question mark you can use '⁇' instead. (U+2047). For slashes you can use the division slash: '∕' (U+2215). Maybe someone will find those useful.
– Brent Rittenhouse
May 20 '18 at 9:32
add a comment |
A colon is an invalid character for a Windows file name. You won't be able to allow ':' in the file name, but you can work around it.
You can either do what it sounds like you have already done; create a script that replaces these invalid characters with valid ones on the UNIX side. Or, you can take care of this on the Windows server with File Name Character Translation: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289627
answered Apr 30 '12 at 15:49
MikeMike
1613
1
I believe I have solved the problem by renaming file uploads on the fly, but I need to somehow get a file onto a windows machine with a colon in the file name. Our customers are somehow doing it so it must be possible.
– David
Apr 30 '12 at 19:21
@David: what makes you think your customers are doing this? Are you sure the uploads are coming from Windows machines?
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
1
Be careful - you can create something called FOO:BAR, but what you've got then is a file named FOO containing a data stream named BAR (as well as the unnamed data stream). In a directory listing you'll just see FOO.
– dave
Apr 30 '12 at 23:35
I am getting error reporting with the attempted upload file name. I have confirmed that at least some of the attempted uploads were from windows machines.
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:16
1
I know is not intended but i somehow need to verify that my solution fixed the issue. How would I go about creating a file named foo:bar?
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:18
add a comment |
A colon is an invalid character for a Windows file name. You won't be able to allow ':' in the file name, but you can work around it.
You can either do what it sounds like you have already done; create a script that replaces these invalid characters with valid ones on the UNIX side. Or, you can take care of this on the Windows server with File Name Character Translation: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289627
answered Apr 30 '12 at 15:49
MikeMike
1613
1
I believe I have solved the problem by renaming file uploads on the fly, but I need to somehow get a file onto a windows machine with a colon in the file name. Our customers are somehow doing it so it must be possible.
– David
Apr 30 '12 at 19:21
@David: what makes you think your customers are doing this? Are you sure the uploads are coming from Windows machines?
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
1
Be careful - you can create something called FOO:BAR, but what you've got then is a file named FOO containing a data stream named BAR (as well as the unnamed data stream). In a directory listing you'll just see FOO.
– dave
Apr 30 '12 at 23:35
I am getting error reporting with the attempted upload file name. I have confirmed that at least some of the attempted uploads were from windows machines.
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:16
1
I know is not intended but i somehow need to verify that my solution fixed the issue. How would I go about creating a file named foo:bar?
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:18
add a comment |
A colon is an invalid character for a Windows file name. You won't be able to allow ':' in the file name, but you can work around it.
You can either do what it sounds like you have already done; create a script that replaces these invalid characters with valid ones on the UNIX side. Or, you can take care of this on the Windows server with File Name Character Translation: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289627
answered Apr 30 '12 at 15:49
MikeMike
1613
A colon is an invalid character for a Windows file name. You won't be able to allow ':' in the file name, but you can work around it.
You can either do what it sounds like you have already done; create a script that replaces these invalid characters with valid ones on the UNIX side. Or, you can take care of this on the Windows server with File Name Character Translation: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289627
answered Apr 30 '12 at 15:49
MikeMike
1613
answered Apr 30 '12 at 15:49
MikeMike
1613
answered Apr 30 '12 at 15:49
MikeMike
1613
answered Apr 30 '12 at 15:49
MikeMike
1613
1613
1
I believe I have solved the problem by renaming file uploads on the fly, but I need to somehow get a file onto a windows machine with a colon in the file name. Our customers are somehow doing it so it must be possible.
– David
Apr 30 '12 at 19:21
@David: what makes you think your customers are doing this? Are you sure the uploads are coming from Windows machines?
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
1
Be careful - you can create something called FOO:BAR, but what you've got then is a file named FOO containing a data stream named BAR (as well as the unnamed data stream). In a directory listing you'll just see FOO.
– dave
Apr 30 '12 at 23:35
I am getting error reporting with the attempted upload file name. I have confirmed that at least some of the attempted uploads were from windows machines.
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:16
1
I know is not intended but i somehow need to verify that my solution fixed the issue. How would I go about creating a file named foo:bar?
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:18
add a comment |
1
I believe I have solved the problem by renaming file uploads on the fly, but I need to somehow get a file onto a windows machine with a colon in the file name. Our customers are somehow doing it so it must be possible.
– David
Apr 30 '12 at 19:21
@David: what makes you think your customers are doing this? Are you sure the uploads are coming from Windows machines?
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
1
Be careful - you can create something called FOO:BAR, but what you've got then is a file named FOO containing a data stream named BAR (as well as the unnamed data stream). In a directory listing you'll just see FOO.
– dave
Apr 30 '12 at 23:35
I am getting error reporting with the attempted upload file name. I have confirmed that at least some of the attempted uploads were from windows machines.
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:16
1
I know is not intended but i somehow need to verify that my solution fixed the issue. How would I go about creating a file named foo:bar?
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:18
1
1
I believe I have solved the problem by renaming file uploads on the fly, but I need to somehow get a file onto a windows machine with a colon in the file name. Our customers are somehow doing it so it must be possible.
– David
Apr 30 '12 at 19:21
I believe I have solved the problem by renaming file uploads on the fly, but I need to somehow get a file onto a windows machine with a colon in the file name. Our customers are somehow doing it so it must be possible.
– David
Apr 30 '12 at 19:21
@David: what makes you think your customers are doing this? Are you sure the uploads are coming from Windows machines?
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
@David: what makes you think your customers are doing this? Are you sure the uploads are coming from Windows machines?
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
1
1
Be careful - you can create something called FOO:BAR, but what you've got then is a file named FOO containing a data stream named BAR (as well as the unnamed data stream). In a directory listing you'll just see FOO.
– dave
Apr 30 '12 at 23:35
Be careful - you can create something called FOO:BAR, but what you've got then is a file named FOO containing a data stream named BAR (as well as the unnamed data stream). In a directory listing you'll just see FOO.
– dave
Apr 30 '12 at 23:35
I am getting error reporting with the attempted upload file name. I have confirmed that at least some of the attempted uploads were from windows machines.
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:16
I am getting error reporting with the attempted upload file name. I have confirmed that at least some of the attempted uploads were from windows machines.
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:16
1
1
I know is not intended but i somehow need to verify that my solution fixed the issue. How would I go about creating a file named foo:bar?
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:18
I know is not intended but i somehow need to verify that my solution fixed the issue. How would I go about creating a file named foo:bar?
– David
May 1 '12 at 1:18
add a comment |
It's probable from the filename you provided that the character you have in your filenames is not a literal colon :, which is a reserved character in Windows filenames, but a fullwidth colon ： Instead. It's a Unicode character that looks very much like a colon, visually surrounded by spaces that you can't remove. You can handle it the very same way as any Unicode chacter, the code point is U+FF1A.
edited Jul 26 '14 at 12:25
vaxquis
7,85253958
answered Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
adraedinadraedin
411
1
this does not address the OPs question; while the advice is very good, you should either place this in a comment to question or ask/answer this in Q&A style as in Jeopardy, first asking "How to use colon in Windows filenames?" question, selecting Q&A style answer and providing this info there.
– vaxquis
Jul 24 '14 at 23:39
1
@vaxquis: on the contrary, I think it likely that this was indeed the cause of the OP's problem; he thought the filenames he was trying to deal with had colons in them, but they were probably fullwidth colons.
– Harry Johnston
Jul 26 '14 at 2:19
1
@HarryJohnston in that case, I'm editing the question to explicitly include this information
– vaxquis
Jul 26 '14 at 12:21
add a comment |
It's probable from the filename you provided that the character you have in your filenames is not a literal colon :, which is a reserved character in Windows filenames, but a fullwidth colon ： Instead. It's a Unicode character that looks very much like a colon, visually surrounded by spaces that you can't remove. You can handle it the very same way as any Unicode chacter, the code point is U+FF1A.
edited Jul 26 '14 at 12:25
vaxquis
7,85253958
answered Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
adraedinadraedin
411
1
this does not address the OPs question; while the advice is very good, you should either place this in a comment to question or ask/answer this in Q&A style as in Jeopardy, first asking "How to use colon in Windows filenames?" question, selecting Q&A style answer and providing this info there.
– vaxquis
Jul 24 '14 at 23:39
1
@vaxquis: on the contrary, I think it likely that this was indeed the cause of the OP's problem; he thought the filenames he was trying to deal with had colons in them, but they were probably fullwidth colons.
– Harry Johnston
Jul 26 '14 at 2:19
1
@HarryJohnston in that case, I'm editing the question to explicitly include this information
– vaxquis
Jul 26 '14 at 12:21
add a comment |
It's probable from the filename you provided that the character you have in your filenames is not a literal colon :, which is a reserved character in Windows filenames, but a fullwidth colon ： Instead. It's a Unicode character that looks very much like a colon, visually surrounded by spaces that you can't remove. You can handle it the very same way as any Unicode chacter, the code point is U+FF1A.
edited Jul 26 '14 at 12:25
vaxquis
7,85253958
answered Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
adraedinadraedin
411
It's probable from the filename you provided that the character you have in your filenames is not a literal colon :, which is a reserved character in Windows filenames, but a fullwidth colon ： Instead. It's a Unicode character that looks very much like a colon, visually surrounded by spaces that you can't remove. You can handle it the very same way as any Unicode chacter, the code point is U+FF1A.
edited Jul 26 '14 at 12:25
vaxquis
7,85253958
answered Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
adraedinadraedin
411
edited Jul 26 '14 at 12:25
vaxquis
7,85253958
edited Jul 26 '14 at 12:25
vaxquis
7,85253958
edited Jul 26 '14 at 12:25
vaxquis
7,85253958
7,85253958
answered Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
adraedinadraedin
411
answered Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
adraedinadraedin
411
answered Jul 24 '14 at 23:11
adraedinadraedin
411
411
1
this does not address the OPs question; while the advice is very good, you should either place this in a comment to question or ask/answer this in Q&A style as in Jeopardy, first asking "How to use colon in Windows filenames?" question, selecting Q&A style answer and providing this info there.
– vaxquis
Jul 24 '14 at 23:39
1
@vaxquis: on the contrary, I think it likely that this was indeed the cause of the OP's problem; he thought the filenames he was trying to deal with had colons in them, but they were probably fullwidth colons.
– Harry Johnston
Jul 26 '14 at 2:19
1
@HarryJohnston in that case, I'm editing the question to explicitly include this information
– vaxquis
Jul 26 '14 at 12:21
add a comment |
1
this does not address the OPs question; while the advice is very good, you should either place this in a comment to question or ask/answer this in Q&A style as in Jeopardy, first asking "How to use colon in Windows filenames?" question, selecting Q&A style answer and providing this info there.
– vaxquis
Jul 24 '14 at 23:39
1
@vaxquis: on the contrary, I think it likely that this was indeed the cause of the OP's problem; he thought the filenames he was trying to deal with had colons in them, but they were probably fullwidth colons.
– Harry Johnston
Jul 26 '14 at 2:19
1
@HarryJohnston in that case, I'm editing the question to explicitly include this information
– vaxquis
Jul 26 '14 at 12:21
1
1
this does not address the OPs question; while the advice is very good, you should either place this in a comment to question or ask/answer this in Q&A style as in Jeopardy, first asking "How to use colon in Windows filenames?" question, selecting Q&A style answer and providing this info there.
– vaxquis
Jul 24 '14 at 23:39
this does not address the OPs question; while the advice is very good, you should either place this in a comment to question or ask/answer this in Q&A style as in Jeopardy, first asking "How to use colon in Windows filenames?" question, selecting Q&A style answer and providing this info there.
– vaxquis
Jul 24 '14 at 23:39
1
1
@vaxquis: on the contrary, I think it likely that this was indeed the cause of the OP's problem; he thought the filenames he was trying to deal with had colons in them, but they were probably fullwidth colons.
– Harry Johnston
Jul 26 '14 at 2:19
@vaxquis: on the contrary, I think it likely that this was indeed the cause of the OP's problem; he thought the filenames he was trying to deal with had colons in them, but they were probably fullwidth colons.
– Harry Johnston
Jul 26 '14 at 2:19
1
1
@HarryJohnston in that case, I'm editing the question to explicitly include this information
– vaxquis
Jul 26 '14 at 12:21
@HarryJohnston in that case, I'm editing the question to explicitly include this information
– vaxquis
Jul 26 '14 at 12:21
add a comment |
Other replacements I've found for reserved characters are
” ‹ › ⁎ ∕ ⑊ ＼︖ ꞉ ⏐
answered Jul 26 '18 at 23:48
aljgomaljgom
1,4541113
add a comment |
Other replacements I've found for reserved characters are
” ‹ › ⁎ ∕ ⑊ ＼︖ ꞉ ⏐
answered Jul 26 '18 at 23:48
aljgomaljgom
1,4541113
add a comment |
Other replacements I've found for reserved characters are
” ‹ › ⁎ ∕ ⑊ ＼︖ ꞉ ⏐
answered Jul 26 '18 at 23:48
aljgomaljgom
1,4541113
Other replacements I've found for reserved characters are
” ‹ › ⁎ ∕ ⑊ ＼︖ ꞉ ⏐
answered Jul 26 '18 at 23:48
aljgomaljgom
1,4541113
edited Jul 26 '18 at 23:54
answered Jul 26 '18 at 23:48
aljgomaljgom
1,4541113
answered Jul 26 '18 at 23:48
aljgomaljgom
1,4541113
answered Jul 26 '18 at 23:48
aljgomaljgom
1,4541113
1,4541113
add a comment |
add a comment |
HOW TO NAME A FILE OR FOLDER USING A SYMBOL THAT LOOKS LIKE A COLON
In the example below, the font size is 12, with the exception of the symbol, which is set to Subscript, Bold and a font size of 16. The character code for the colon-like symbol is 02F8.
The reason for the Subscript setting is to position the symbol lower relative to its vertical position. The bold and larger font settings are applied so that the symbol is more discernible on the page, and have no affect when used in a file or folder name.
Example: (C˸) Symbol – Subscript, Calibri, Bold and font size of 16.
*Using Windows 7, and Word 2007
answered Sep 3 '18 at 3:44
JeffJeff
1
add a comment |
HOW TO NAME A FILE OR FOLDER USING A SYMBOL THAT LOOKS LIKE A COLON
In the example below, the font size is 12, with the exception of the symbol, which is set to Subscript, Bold and a font size of 16. The character code for the colon-like symbol is 02F8.
The reason for the Subscript setting is to position the symbol lower relative to its vertical position. The bold and larger font settings are applied so that the symbol is more discernible on the page, and have no affect when used in a file or folder name.
Example: (C˸) Symbol – Subscript, Calibri, Bold and font size of 16.
*Using Windows 7, and Word 2007
answered Sep 3 '18 at 3:44
JeffJeff
1
add a comment |
HOW TO NAME A FILE OR FOLDER USING A SYMBOL THAT LOOKS LIKE A COLON
In the example below, the font size is 12, with the exception of the symbol, which is set to Subscript, Bold and a font size of 16. The character code for the colon-like symbol is 02F8.
The reason for the Subscript setting is to position the symbol lower relative to its vertical position. The bold and larger font settings are applied so that the symbol is more discernible on the page, and have no affect when used in a file or folder name.
Example: (C˸) Symbol – Subscript, Calibri, Bold and font size of 16.
*Using Windows 7, and Word 2007
answered Sep 3 '18 at 3:44
JeffJeff
1
HOW TO NAME A FILE OR FOLDER USING A SYMBOL THAT LOOKS LIKE A COLON
In the example below, the font size is 12, with the exception of the symbol, which is set to Subscript, Bold and a font size of 16. The character code for the colon-like symbol is 02F8.
The reason for the Subscript setting is to position the symbol lower relative to its vertical position. The bold and larger font settings are applied so that the symbol is more discernible on the page, and have no affect when used in a file or folder name.
Example: (C˸) Symbol – Subscript, Calibri, Bold and font size of 16.
*Using Windows 7, and Word 2007
answered Sep 3 '18 at 3:44
JeffJeff
1
answered Sep 3 '18 at 3:44
JeffJeff
1
answered Sep 3 '18 at 3:44
JeffJeff
1
answered Sep 3 '18 at 3:44
JeffJeff
1
1
add a comment |
add a comment |
You can use the CJK(Chinese/Japan/Korean) one
"："
which is pretty generic.
answered Mar 22 at 5:32
imocimoc
1
add a comment |
You can use the CJK(Chinese/Japan/Korean) one
"："
which is pretty generic.
answered Mar 22 at 5:32
imocimoc
1
add a comment |
You can use the CJK(Chinese/Japan/Korean) one
"："
which is pretty generic.
answered Mar 22 at 5:32
imocimoc
1
You can use the CJK(Chinese/Japan/Korean) one
"："
which is pretty generic.
answered Mar 22 at 5:32
imocimoc
1
answered Mar 22 at 5:32
imocimoc
1
answered Mar 22 at 5:32
imocimoc
1
answered Mar 22 at 5:32
imocimoc
1
1
add a comment |
add a comment |
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6
There are a few characters that simply aren't allowed in Windows filenames, the colon is one of them. Sorry.
– Mark Ransom
Apr 30 '12 at 15:46
5
P.S. the full list of invalid characters is here: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/…
– Mark Ransom
Apr 30 '12 at 16:14
2
It might be possible to do this with the native API or from a device driver. But you wouldn't be able to upload the file from a Windows application, or indeed do anything else with it.
– Harry Johnston
Apr 30 '12 at 21:09
2
I often use fullwidth colon
：in my file names. It's a Unicode character that looks very much like a colon so I use it where Windows won't allow the usual colon. It's visually surrounded by spaces that you can't remove. I stumbled upon it ages ago, now I just copy and paste it whenever I need it.– adraedin
Jul 24 '14 at 23:11