By 'file name' it means the entire path and file name. Inspect the name of not only the file, but every folder, all the way up to the hard disk itself, and the name of the hard drive! If you find any character other than a to z, A to Z, or spaces: take them out. For example: 'Fred's Mac' is an illegal name: Word can't open files from a hard drive named like that.
OK, this is a bug, but it won't be fixed for a while, so you need to work around it.
Word will refuse to open or save any files that include certain non-alphanumeric characters in their file names.
- The error message if you are saving is 'This is not a valid file name'.
- If you are opening, you see 'The file cannot be opened ... because there are problems ... or the file name might contain invalid characters (for example < > | ' / ).
Take the error message literally: somewhere in the file name there will be a character such as > or < or /.
By 'file name' it means the entire path and file name. Inspect the name of not only the file, but every folder, all the way up to the hard disk itself, and the name of the hard drive!
If you find any character other than a to z, A to Z, or spaces: take them out.
For example: 'Fred's Mac' is an illegal name: Word can't open files from a hard drive named like that. In the Apple OS X Help, check the topic 'Renaming your hard disk' for instructions on how to get out of this.
See also Can't Save to Server
HomeProductsYodot DOC RepairFix Word Error File Format is Not Valid
“I had a large size Word file created on Microsoft Office Word 2010 on my PC. Recently I stand to add some more content to that document. But, abrupt system shutdown due to power loss interrupted my editing work. After few minutes I started the system to continue with my work, but that Word document was showing error message “Word error file format or file extension is Not Valid”. Now, what to do? That Word file had huge information, I created that document with more efforts and it cannot be rewritten. So, please help me to find any best option to fix this corrupted Word file.”
![Office For Mac This Is Not A Valid File Name Sierra Office For Mac This Is Not A Valid File Name Sierra](/uploads/1/2/5/2/125296637/590529771.jpg)
Apart from providing convenient features, in some instances Microsoft Word application will display error messages as mentioned in above scenario. This error raveled due to harmful malware attack on the Windows system. Malwares may enter into system through unauthenticated application or browsing internet in unsafe zone. These malwares will modify the Word document file name with some unreadable letters or corrupt the DOC file content. In some scenarios, abrupt termination of MS Word file while saving it may also cause this error.
What are the necessary steps to fix Word file displaying “File format is not valid” error?
Remedy 1: Inbuilt Word files repair option on Microsoft Office
When any Word document get corrupt then first and foremost thing is to take copy of that inaccessible Word file. Later try using inbuilt repair option that can fix the issues with unreadable DOC file. To mend Word file just follow below steps:
Open Microsoft Office Word application -> Click on File button -> Later click on Open option -> Now, chose the Word document that needs to be repaired -> Then, click on the drop down mark beside Open option -> Select “Open and Repair” option. Your corrupt Word file will be fixed. If this will not work, then go for second remedy.
Remedy 2: Yodot DOC Repair software:
When your Word document displays “Word error file format is not valid” error message and stops responding, then try using one of the most used word file repair utility i.e Yodot DOC Repair on your Windows system and fix the Word file error. This tool carefully fixes corrupt / damaged Word files. You can renovate broken Word document of DOC as well as DOCX file extensions created on Microsoft Word 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2010 versions without any trouble. Furthermore, the software supports to work on various Windows operating system (Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP, Windows Server 2003 and 2008) to fix Word files from hard drive, external hard drive, USB drive and other storage devices.
Steps to repair Word document showing error file format is not valid:
- Download and install Yodot DOC Repair software on your Windows desktop or laptop
- After installing, run the utility on the computer and follow the guiding instructions on main screen
- In the main screen, select the infected Word document that you wish to mend and click on “Repair” button
- You can view DOC file repairing process on progress bar
- After completion of repair procedure, application offers you with an option to preview description of renovated Word file before saving it
- Next browse for destination location where you desire to save the fixed Word document and click on “Save” button
Necessary instructions:
- From first day you using system try to install it with genuine anti virus software and update it regularly
- Do not perform forceful system shutdown while accessing Word documents
- Backup essential Word files on some other storage devices
![Office For Mac This Is Not A Valid File Name Sierra Office For Mac This Is Not A Valid File Name Sierra](https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/mac_apps/pages/macos-high-sierra-pages7-export-to-word.jpg)
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