Hello,
I keep getting this error message when I download an anki deck: 500: Failed to open '/Users/sammy8/Downloads/M2__MSK__Exam 1__Week 1__MSK ': No such file or directory (os error 2)
My friends have downloaded these decks with no issues. Any ideas why Im getting this problem? I also have a Mac book and I updated anki to the latest version at the same day, could this have anything to do with it? Please help.
Is the error happening during download or during import?
If the file is fully downloaded to your computer – does the file have an extension, and if so, what is it?
The error happens during import. I click the import button and get that message. I dont think there is an extension on the file, but cant confirm fully. How do I check that?
Go to that location in your Downloads folder, find the file. If you don’t see a file extension, right click the file, select Properties, and see what type of file it is.
this is what it shows. I dont think it has a file extension. do you know what the next steps would be?
That depends on whether you trust the source of the file or not. If you don’t – I would delete it, because there’s nothing worth the risk of messing with it. If you do – I would start by asking them why there’s no extension.
I do trust the source of the file. Is the reason this isn’t working is because there is no extension on the file?
It might be. You’re getting an OS error telling you the file doesn’t exist. If you’re convinced that the file is actually downloaded to your computer, and not just lingering in a somewhat accessible cloud-space, then there must be another reason that the OS and Anki aren’t able to work together to figure out what this file is and how to manage it.
If you trust the source, the first thing I’d try is to put the extension (apkg) on it. I have no idea how to do that on a Mac.
The file ends in .apkg so doesnt that mean the extension is already on it? How do you put an extension on windows?
Yes, it does. Is the file type associated with Anki? What happens when you double-click it?
By renaming the file.
So when I click the file it opens through the Anki app and asks me to import. When I click import, that’s when I get the error message. Please see the screenshot below. I have tried everything such as redownloading different versions on Anki and it still doesn’t work. Im at a loss of what to do.
@sammy8 please select the file, then press enter, and add .apkg to the end as @Danika_Dakika suggested, as it doesn’t appear to end with .apkg currently. I suspect that will resolve your issue.
I’ve logged the bug on We allow importing an .apkg without an extension, which breaks · Issue #3352 · ankitects/anki · GitHub
Hello,
@dae Where do you see that the file does not end with .apkg at the end? I have attached a screenshot for your reference.
@Danika_Dakika yes I tried with both import options. I tried it with NOT importing learning progress and that also does not work. I know someone else who is having the same issue as me and it is because the decks were made with macOS11+ but we updated our anki for macOS12+. However, I deleted the newest version and downloaded the macOS11+ again but it is still not working. I also do not have any add ons for anki.
I assume you’re talking about these different builds? Those have to do with what kind of chip you have. Please make sure you’re using the version that is compatible with your computer.
It sounds like you just keep trying the the same version of the file. Have you talked to your friend who made this export? When they made the export, did they check the box to make the export compatible with older Anki versions?
Have you tried (temporarily, at least) importing the file into a different profile? Use File > Switch Profile to create one.
Your first screenshot doesn’t show the full filename, so I can’t tell. But the importing screen shows the file without an extension, which makes me think it’s missing from the file you’re trying to import. On my system, the importing screen shows .apkg at the end of the filename at the top, when I try to import a file.
It seems the names are different in the file folder and in the import screen. In the import screen and in the error you get, it says “M2__MSK__Exam 1__Week 1__MSK” whereas the file name should be followed by “#Embryology_Limb…” and should end in .apkg.
If I was in your situation, purely from personal experience, I would start by removing all unnecessary characters and naming it to something like embryology.apkg.
this isnt my file though so how do I change the file name? I just downloaded it from somewhere
I think files can be renamed by anyone.
Thanks @sorata, you hit the nail on the end - it’s the # character in the filename that is causing the problem. Clicking once on the file in Finder (opening your downloads folder), then pressing enter should allow you to rename it.
