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GillW's avatar
GillW
Explorer | Level 4
4 years ago

Corrupted Word Documents

I am at my wit's end!  I didn't realise that DropBox would corrupt files.  I now have several Word documents in a folder that I need for my course work assessment which are no longer Word documents and which won't open.  I'm actually really worried - I trusted DropBox and am actually thinking I shouldn't have...Can anyone tell me what has happened please?

Also my tutor is unable to open the PDF files - they open with a padlock and are so tiny he can't read them...he is one of those listed as being able to open them (TM ).

 

Please help me - I need all this for my assessment and am now seriously worried.

 

Thank you.

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  • Lusil's avatar
    Lusil
    4 years ago
    No worries, GillW!

    Looking forward to hearing back from you.
  • Mark's avatar
    Mark
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
    4 years ago

    Dropbox cannot alter files at all - it simply hasnt got the capability or capacity to do so. 

     

    You've not said which files are not opening BUT my guess is the ones starting 6.2 etc.? If you notice the .pdf (or .doc/docx) is missing from the end of the file name, so, the computer doesnt know how to open them. Simply rename them with whatever you used to make them and they should be and they'll almost certainly open.

    • GillW's avatar
      GillW
      Explorer | Level 4
      4 years ago

      You are a Star, Mark Super User ll - thank you! That worked.

       

      My second query underneath about the PDFs - any input on this, please?

       

      Many thanks indeed.

       

      Gill

      • Lusil's avatar
        Lusil
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        4 years ago
        Hey GillW, if possible, could you send us a screenshot of the preview with the padlock that you mention?

        Did you send the files via a shared link, or as individual shared files?
  • andrepaixao's avatar
    andrepaixao
    New member | Level 2
    4 years ago

    I had the same problem after cancelling my 2TB subscription and moving all folders to a new one. Loads of corrupted files. This is a tragedy for me. 

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