WD2000: Run Time Error 5174 : "This file could not be found" with Open Method (212664)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q212664

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Visual Basic for Applications Open method to open a file, the following error message may appear:
Run-time error '5174':
This file could not be found.
Try one or more of the following:
* Check the spelling of the name of the document.
* Try a different file name.
(Filename)

CAUSE

This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:

  • The file name extension is not included as part of the FileName argument (for example: Documents.Open FileName:="mydocument")

    -and-

  • The file name extension of the file you want to open is something other than ".doc".
Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements.
This error occurs regardless of whether the default file format has been specified, as in the following example: 
Documents.Open FileName:="mydocument", Format:=wdOpenFormatRTF

-or- 

Application.Options.DefaultOpenFormat = wdOpenFormatRTF
   Documents.Open FileName:="mydocument"


NOTE: This error also occurs if the document you are attempting to open does not exist.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, specify the file name extension as part of the FileName argument. The following example opens a Rich Text Format (.rtf) document that exists in the default document directory: 

Documents.Open FileName:="mydocument.rtf"

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about how to use the sample code in this article, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

212536 OFF2000: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles


REFERENCES

For more information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

226118 OFF2000: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for Applications

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/17/2005
Keywords:kbbug kbnofix KB212664
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