In ArcGIS, what should I do if I get the error message, "The Working Directory location can not have a space in the path name. Please specify a new location."?

When you use the Spatial Analyst extension in ArcGIS, some raster analysis tools will generate temporary files before providing a final output. By default in Windows XP, the working directory for Spatial Analyst contains a space, for example: C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp\

Spaces in the names of directories can cause the following error message in ArcGIS:

The Working Directory location can not have a space in the path name. Please specify a new location.

To correct this error, UITS recommends the following changes:

1. In ArcMap, open the Spatial Analyst toolbar by clicking View and selecting Toolbars, then Spatial Analyst.
   
   
2. On the Spatial Analyst toolbar, click the Spatial Analyst drop-down menu and select Options.

   Note: If Options is not selectable (grayed out), make sure the Spatial Analyst extension under the Tools menu is turned on.

3. In the Spatial Analyst Options window, select the General tab.
   
   
4. Next to "Working directory:", enter C:\temp\ or some other directory that does not contain spaces. All users (including those in the Student Technology Centers) should have write access to this directory. Using this directory will allow ArcGIS to create the temporary files needed for some Spatial Analyst operations.

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