Illegal characters in path c# error

Question

I am getting the error

Illegal characters in path

for the code below . Please help me out.

response.Clear();
response.Charset = "";
Response.ContentEncoding = System.Text.Encoding.Default;

// set the response mime type for excel
response.ContentType = "application/vnd.ms-excel";
string sFileName = "Testeeeeee.xls";
response.AddHeader("Content-Disposition", "attachment;filename=\"" + sFileName + "\"");

// create a string writer
using (StringWriter sw = new StringWriter())
{
    using (HtmlTextWriter htw = new HtmlTextWriter(sw))
    {
        // instantiate a datagrid
        DataGrid dg = new DataGrid();
        dg.DataSource = DS.Tables[0];
        dg.DataBind();
        dg.RenderControl(htw);
        string sPath = @"E:\CR-12\Test.xls";
        File.WriteAllText(sw.ToString(), sPath);// I get the error at this line
        response.End();

The error I am getting is "Illegal characters in path"

creator
– creator

2011-04-28 08:15:15 +00:00
Commented Apr 28, 2011 at 8:15 — creator
– creator, Commented Apr 28, 2011 at 8:15

razlebe · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-28 08:19:17Z

15

The parameters are inverted. Do it as follows:

File.WriteAllText(sPath,sw.ToString());

edited Apr 28, 2011 at 8:19

razlebe

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answered Apr 28, 2011 at 8:15

HCL

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Comments

Graham Clark · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-28 08:17:01Z

5

You've got the parameters to File.WriteAllText mixed up. The first one is the path, the second is the contents. You need

File.WriteAllText(sPath, sw.ToString());

answered Apr 28, 2011 at 8:17

Graham Clark

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Comments

PVitt · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-28 08:17:43Z

4

The call to

File.WriteAllText(sw.ToString(), sPath);

has the wrong parameter order. It should be

File.WriteAllText(sPath, sw.ToString());

answered Apr 28, 2011 at 8:17

PVitt

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Comments

QuickDanger · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-15 19:15:54Z

2

For others receiving this error, make sure you are using backslashes correctly since they are also escape characters. A single backslash can result in this error. Use 2 backslashes to properly output a single escaped backslash.

Ex:

System.IO.File.WriteAllText("C:\\file.txt", output);

answered Sep 15, 2014 at 19:15

QuickDanger

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Comments

Mike Mengell · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-28 08:17:30Z

-1

The issue is probably a security related one. Your webpage wouldn't be default have access to the E drive.

answered Apr 28, 2011 at 8:17

Mike Mengell

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