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Invalid File Type (Tech Note 014)

Problem: User obtains an “Invalid file type” error when trying to open a map document.

Screen shot of error message dialog box.

Version: Toolkit SP-3.

Background

In Toolkit SP-3, the location of checked-out files has moved from C:\Customer_Files_Toolkit to C:\Documents and Settings\<login.name>\My Customer Files Toolkit to support future file system encryption.

Because the location of the checked-out Customer Files is different in Toolkit SP-3 compared to Toolkit SP-2, Toolkit SP-3 is programmed to update the paths of files referenced in a map document (.mxd file). Some users have obtained an ”Invalid file type” error when opening an .mxd file (that was created in SP-2) for the first time in SP-3. This error occurs only when there is a read-only file somewhere in the checked-out Customer File.

Resolution

Complete the instructions provided below to resolve the “Invalid file type” error.

  1. The customer folder that is experiencing this problem needs to be checked out before continuing (in this example, AA_ROB---------AAR).
  2. Close Toolkit and ArcMap.
  3. Right-click on Start and select Explore.
  4. Navigate to C:\Customer_Files_Toolkit (the location of checked-out customer files prior to installing Toolkit SP-3).
  5. Right-click on the customer folder name, AA_ROB---------AAR, and delete the folder.
  6. Go to C:\Documents and Settings\user.name\My Customer Files Toolkit (the new location of checked-out customer files for Toolkit SP-3).
  7. Right-click on the customer folder name, AA_ROB---------AAR, select Properties.
  8. Click on the Read-Only checkbox to unselect this option.
    Screen shot of dialog box with read-only unchecked.
    The checkbox should be ‘empty’ or blank, as pictured above.
  9. Click OK.
  10. A pop-up window appears to confirm attribute changes. Make sure that Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files is selected, then click OK.
    Screen shot of dialog box showing Apply changes to this folder button selected.
  11. Check in the customer folder.

Completing these steps removes the read-only setting on the files in the customer folder that is checked-in. When a Toolkit SP-3 user subsequently checks out the customer folder they should not obtain the “Invalid file type” error.

Technical Note 014: Invalid File Type is also available on the Toolkit Training and Support page.

Last Modified: 07/05/2007