The Open dialog box doesn't list the file I'm looking for

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Check the file type

Make sure you have the correct file type selected in the Files of type box.

Conduct a search

  1. Click Open .
  2. Click Tools in the Open dialog box, and then click Search.
  3. Do one of the following:

    Search for a file containing specified text

    You can find a file containing text in its title, contents, or properties.

    1. On the Basic tab, in the Search text box, type the text to search for in Microsoft Office files, Web pages, and Microsoft Outlook items.

      Tip

      You can use wildcards in the Search text box. Type a question mark (?) to match any single character, or type an asterisk (*) to match any number of characters. For example, s?t finds "sat" and "set"; s*d finds "sad" and "started."
    2. To limit where to search, in the Search in box, select one or more drives, folders, Web sites, or Outlook mailboxes. To search everywhere, select Everywhere. To specify a single location, type it directly in the Search in box.
    3. To limit the types of search results, in the Results should be box, select the types of items to find. To find all types of files, Web pages, and Outlook items, select Anything.
    4. Click Search.

      Tip

      To view all properties of a found item, click the command button following the item, and then choose Properties.

    Search for a file based on one or more properties

    1. On the Advanced tab, enter one or more search criteria.

      How?

      1. In the Property box, choose a property from the list or type in a property name. The Property box displays the properties available in the currently open document.

        Tip

        You can use wildcards in the Property box. Type a question mark (?) to match any single character, or type an asterisk (*) to match any number of characters. For example, s?t finds "sat" and "set"; s*d finds "sad" and "started."

      2. In the Condition box, choose a condition from the list, or type in a condition.
      3. In the Value box, enter the value to associate with the condition.
      4. If previous search criteria exist, click And to add a criterion that must be true in addition to previous criteria. Click Or to add a criterion that is sufficient regardless of previous criteria.
      5. Click Add to add the search criterion.

        Note If the value is invalid for the condition or property, the Add button is unavailable.

    2. To limit where to search, in the Search in box, select one or more drives, folders, Web sites, or Outlook mailboxes. To search everywhere, select Everywhere. To specify a single drive, folder, or Web site, type it directly in the Search in box.
    3. To limit the types of search results, in the Results should be box, select the types of files, Web pages, and Outlook items to find. To find all types of files and items, select Anything.
    4. Click Search.

      Tip

      To view all properties of a found item, click the command button following the item, and then choose Properties.
 

Check the search criteria

Check the network connection

If you're looking for a file on the network and the network drive doesn't appear in the Open dialog box under Look in, do the following:

  1. Click Tools, and then click Map Network Drive.

  2. In the Drive box, click the drive letter you want to use to connect to the network.

  3. In the Path box, enter the path where the file is located on the network.

    Tip

    You can also look for files on a network drive if your network supports the UNC. Just type the UNC path in the File name box in the Open dialog box — for example, type \\plans\documents.

Look in Network Places or Web Folders

If you're looking for files on a Web server:

You can also type the folder path in the File name box in the Open dialog box — for example, type http://myserver/public.