--- loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2003/09/09 18:46:28	1.114
+++ loncom/interface/loncommon.pm	2003/09/10 15:06:34	1.115
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # a pile of common routines
 #
-# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.114 2003/09/09 18:46:28 www Exp $
+# $Id: loncommon.pm,v 1.115 2003/09/10 15:06:34 matthew Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -2542,6 +2542,23 @@ sub csv_samples_select_table {
 }
 
 =pod
+
+=item clean_excel_name($name)
+
+Returns a replacement for $name which does not contain any illegal characters.
+
+=cut
+
+sub clean_excel_name {
+    my ($name) = @_;
+    $name =~ s/[:\*\?\/\\]//g;
+    if (length($name) > 31) {
+        $name = substr($name,0,31);
+    }
+    return $name;
+}
+
+=pod
 
 =item * check_if_partid_hidden($id,$symb,$udom,$uname)