Audacity Forum

When I attempt to export an edited track, the "save" button is grayed out and doesn't allow me to do so.

I go to "File" on the menu bar then "Export" which takes me to the dialogue box asking me to select the audio format. The "save" button at this point is always grayed out.

If anyone can explain what I might be doing wrong I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

This is after you type the filename, right? Did you do something messy in the filename?

Upper and lower case letters, numbers, underscore and dash only. No other characters can be used. I need my work to survive transit to all three computer platforms, so I don't use spaces either.

my_piano_solo-20090525.wav

Koz

I did have a space in the file name. Will try removing it. I had to leave this project for a few days but will get back to it tomorrow. Thanks for the advice Koz. I'll let you know if the space was the problem.

Mitchell

It's not. Spaces are only a problem if you need to bounce between Windows, Linux and Mac, and do it several times a day. Even at that, they're merely very awkward and do not cause actual damage.

I can get a gray "Save" button in my Audacity 1.2 by trying to put the work in a location where I have no permission to do so, like in "Library."

Try Exporting the work to your own personal Desktop.

Another question. I'm using Mac/Intel/Tiger (OS-X 10.4) and I use Audacity 1.2.5, not 1.2.6. Getting the wrong one here is very common.

If you have Mac/Intel/Leopard (OS-X 10.5, like my laptop), then we should be on Audacity 1.3.7. There are no stable versions of Audacity 1.2 for us.

Koz

I'm using Audacity version 1.3.6. My OS is 10.4.11. Perhaps that is the problem?

How can I export to my desktop? The save button being grayed out would seem to be preventing me from exporting anywhere.

Mitchell

Apple > About This Mac.

Read that to me. Does it say Intel or Power PC?

Koz

Power PC

Mitchell

Mine is 1.3.7.

File > Export... > Edit Metadata > OK

...which opens one of these two windows. Or at least it does here.

http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/ExportSimple.jpg
http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/ExportFull.jpg

The bottom one is an expansion of the top one.

Does any of this look familiar?

Koz

You have actually Stopped the recording and not just Paused it - if you are in Pause mode then the export button (and many others) will be greyed out.

WC

Good catch. Let's see what they have to say.
Koz