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Anonymous
Not applicable

M query Expression.Error: Illegal characters in path when using parameters into File.Contents

I'm trying to use a parameters in Power BI M query to open a file

File.Contents(paramfolderName & fileName)

paramfolderName : Parameter in Power BI-> C:\Temp\
fileName: a text value from a query ->somefile.csv

I then get this errormessage:
Expression.Error: Illegal characters in path.
Details:
C:\Temp\somefile.csv


When I change the logic to use the folderName and fileName explicit it works as I expect
File.Contents("C:\Temp\somefile.csv")

Any tips?

2 REPLIES 2
PrasannaJ
Frequent Visitor

Hi @Anonymous , I had a similar error when I assigned the parameter the path with " (double quotes) in it.

Example:

let filepath be the parameter name. Then,

filepath ="C:\Temp\somefile.csv" will throw this error.   --> this happened because I was doing "Copy as Path" in Windows 11 and pasting it directly as a value for the parameter.

However, filepath=C:\Temp\somefile.csv will work - notice that there is no " in the path value.

 

Hope this helps.

ImkeF
Super User
Super User

Agree, that looks strange.
Try the following: 
File.Contents(Text.Clean(paramfolderName & fileName))

Imke Feldmann (The BIccountant)

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