Accessibility

TechNote (Archived)

File or folder name in Mac OS may break Dreamweaver functionality

Issue


Attempts to preview a page in a browser, view the Site Map, designate a home page for the Site Map Layout or launch the Dreamweaver help files are unsuccessful. Other features within Dreamweaver may not work as expected. In some cases, persistent error messages may appear even though the documentation is followed precisely. Sometimes the feature simply fails, without presenting an error.

Reason


Although the Macintosh platform allows special characters to be used when naming files, folders, or the hard disk, some features in Dreamweaver do not function properly if special characters exist in the names of folders in which the Dreamweaver application, the local root folder, or browsers reside.

The Dreamweaver application files are linked by paths, similar to HTML pages linked within a site structure. If a folder name in the path contains a special character, the path may not be correctly read by Dreamweaver's JavaScript dependent functions.

Dreamweaver site files are linked by paths within a site structure. Special characters also cause these paths not to be read properly.

The following are examples of special characters:

~ @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) + | / \ ';

Note:The functions also will break if Dreamweaver application files are moved from their original installed locations inside the Dreamweaver application folder.

Solution


Verify that file, folder, and hard disk names do not contain special characters. If special characters exist, rename the files, folders, or the hard disk so that the paths that connect Dreamweaver to the files and browser can be correctly interpreted by Dreamweaver.

The following are some examples of folder and hard disk names that could cause the Dreamweaver to fail to find the correct files, and some safe alternatives that will not cause the failure:

May Cause Errors
Macintosh HD:Rob's Webdesign Applications:Dreamweaver 3
Safe Alternative
Macintosh HD:Robs Webdesign Applications: Dreamweaver 3
May Cause Errors
Macintosh hard disk:Netscape & Internet Explorer:Netscape Communicator
Safe Alternative
Macintosh hard disk:Browsers:Netscape Communicator
May Cause Errors
Macintosh hard disk:My Sites/Sports
Safe Alternative
Macintosh hard disk:My Sports Sites


AlertThis content requires Flash

To view this content, JavaScript must be enabled, and you need the latest version of the Adobe Flash Player.

Download the free Flash Player now!

Get Adobe Flash Player

Creative Commons License

Search Support


Document Details

ID:tn_14452

Products Affected: