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"The selected directory requires that the file names be from…" error opening returns in ProSeries

SOLVED•by Intuit•9•Updated December 01, 2023

When attempting to open returns in ProSeries the following error is generated:

"The selected directory requires that file names be from one to eight characters in length, not including the three character extension that follows the period (for example: FILENAME.XXX)."
PCG_PS_ L74AMesTZ_error.png

This is usually followed by "Unable to Read Data, Exit and try again."

Before you start:

  • This article references default installation paths and uses YY to reference the tax year in 20YY format. C: will always indicate the local drive and X: will always indicate the network drive.
  • This error is often generated when using DropBox with the data folder for ProSeries. Errors or data corruption may occur when ProSeries data is being synchronized with DropBox or similar programs.
  • Another cause is storing data on a drive that is not connected, such as a flash drive or a network drive that is not currently connected.
  • This error can also occur if you migrated ProSeries to a new computer but didn't run the program installation. Refer to Installing ProSeries on a new computer for instructions.

To resolve, DropBox needs to be configured to not synchronize any ProSeries related folders.

If you do not use a network version and you keep client files outside the default data location, you may be able to resolve the issue by restoring the files to the correct default location (C:\BasWin23\23Data or C:\ProWin23\23Data). Network versions do not allow changing the data path.

To configure DropBox, please contact DropBox Support, or visit their Help pages at www.dropbox.com/help.

See below for instructions on restoring client files to your default path.

If any client files are stored on a drive that is disconnected, this is one of several issues that may occur. If you do not need to access the particular clients that are not on a connected drive, then in some cases you may ignore the message. However, to bypass the message you may need to reconnect the disconnected drive(s).

If you have clients stored on a removable drive or disk, such as a flash drive, you may need to insert the drive or disk.

If you use a network drive for your data, you may need to reconnect your drive. Restarting the computer may reconnect it, or there may be issues that require a network technician to resolve. Connecting network drives is outside the scope of ProSeries Support.

If you are using a standalone version of ProSeries, once your disconnected drives are reconnected, you may restore clients to the default location on your C: drive to ensure the disconnected drive does not cause any issues in the future.

To restore your clients to the default location see Restoring client files using ProSeries.

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