How to import folder structure with lots of subfolders (path too long)

Question

Tendering or Contract partners will quite often supply us with (cd or usb-sticks with) documents in a complicated structure of folders and subfolders, using long names for folders and documents. Thus exceeding the limited Windows path of +- 255 characters. 
 When trying to drag&drop the folder structure in PW this gives errors (and lots of frustration too) 
 How do others deal with this? Shortening the path name is a very time-consuming labour; besides we usually are not allowed to change document names, that come from the partner's EDM system. We also need to keep the file complete in the structure it is delivered to us. 
 Any help is appreciated!

Dana Guthrie · Accepted Answer

In my research on this issue, as you have found, this is a limitation of Windows. 
In ProjectWise you can create the folder and sub folder structure longer than 255 characters, because on the back end the folders are stored in a flat hierarchy and the database maintains the real folder hierarchy. 
However because of the 255 character limit in windows, you would not be able export such a folder structure from PW. 
 
A possible workaround to this problem then, is in windows, cut the folder structure in half at some logical point and move the sub folders and files to a temp folder at the root. 
Drag and drop the remaining folder structure into ProjectWise. Then once the higher level folders are created in PW, navigate down the structure to the location of where the subfolders should live, then (from the temp location in windows) drag and drop them into their respective subfolders in ProjectWise. (run scanref if needed for reconnecting reference files) 
 
For exporting; if you need to export the entire folder structure from ProjectWise to give back to the contractor, you would need to do the same thing, exporting out the sub directories first, temporarily move them to a temp folder in PW, then export the top level hierarchy to windows, and then put the two back together in windows and in ProjectWise. (run scanref if needed for reconnecting reference files in PW) 
 
One other thought.. if possible educate the contractors on the issue of using such long, complicated file names and folder structures, not only for ProjectWise but for Windows as well.

QAISER AHMAD MALIK · Answer

Thanks for Shearing information, We too Face same problem, Actually this problem started for any New project which is done by any Main vendor/ contractor they fallow there own software and Document Hierarchy and once they handover document in Hard disk or DVD's Or USB's and thy close project, problem is found Once Document controller or team starts Uploading such long file or folder name . Solution is copy All main folders to any of your free Location folder wise . and start Rename and Short Forder /file name. Example- pre commissioning/ mechanical documentation/ administration building/ file name is also long......xxx. so in this case u can do PreCom/Mech Doc/Admin BLD/ same reduce file name,....using windows each file folder one by one,, of if u r DOS expert u can do it as Batch wise,,, rename,,,,