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Forum Discussion
mike m.10
10 years agoNew member | Level 1
PDF Preview functionality - how to disable?
I really, really dislike the Dropbox PDF preview functionality. It served my needs much better to have the PDF I click on in Dropbox open directly in Acrobat Reader. Is there a way to switch the PDF preview off? If not, I strongly request that become a future option. PDF preview in dropbox may be great for some users, but for me, it's terrible. Thanks.
- Govert V.New member | Level 1
I do so totally agree with this. It doesn't only do this for pdfs, but also for office and other files. Wanting to preview the file when clicking it is actually the exception, not the rule. Typically I want to open the file and do something. Dropbox should not want to offer an alternative to dedicated apps; it's the wrong battle for them to pick.
- Cate C.2New member | Level 1
And another request for an option to disable this feature. It drives me nuts that clicking on the file I want to edit (usually word or excel) then won't just open for me to edit.
It's doubly annoying for me since the dcoument editor I use also opens the file in 'protected; mode, so it takes me about five steps to get to the place I need to be.
Allow me to decide what clicking on a file does, or I'll start using OneDrive....
- Simon H.18New member | Level 1
Oh yes, this is an absolute pain. How dare Dropbox foist this on us without an option to switch it off.
On my smartphone I want to view these documents in Adobe Reader, Spreadsheet etc. because they have full functionality (edit, bookmark etc.), the Dropbox viewer has not.
So, what happens. Find the file I want to work with, tap on it. Oh no! Forgot it opens in Dropbox viewer. Close it again. Long hold, open with, and at last I have what I want.
What a waste of time and productivity.
Dropbox PLEASE give us the option to switch it off. I'm far too old to remember to long hold every time!!! - Keith S.15New member | Level 2
This feature makes it impossible for me to use Dropbox for PDF-download links. I don't want it previewed. I want it downloaded.
And if I do have to put up with the preview, don't break up my spreads. I didn't save it in single pages. I saved it as spreads on purpose. That's how it's meant to be viewed, and being forced into single pages screws it up.
I know you're trying to help, but please ask first.
- joshua s.27New member | Level 1
yes, this is so annoying that i'm looking for an alternative service. otherwise is love love dropbox!
- S O.New member | Level 1
I just want to add my +1 vote for making the preview an exception rather than the default, it's quite annoying, especially since it forces you to the top of the pdf every time the screen sleeps.
- Giangi H.Collaborator | Level 9
I just come here on this forum for the very same question
HOW TO DISABLE ON ANDROID THE EMBEDDED PDF (AND ANY OTHER TOO LIKE THE RECENTLY ADDED EXCEL!!!) VIEWER???????I could "accept" to let it kick in for pdf files stored inside Dropbox, but not when, for example, I'm opening a pdf attached to an email!
Please add options for:
* enable PDF viewer YES/NO
- enable outside DB too? YES/NO
* enable "whatever" viewer YES/NO
- enable outside DB too? YES/NO - Holly H.7New member | Level 1
I agree that this should be an opt in "feature". While a preview in and of itself wouldn't be bad, it is magnified at 200-300% so you have to scroll to actually see the whole document. People who may not look to see the "download" option above are confused and it doesn't serve the purpose for us to have them receive the info from the link this way.
- mike m.10New member | Level 1
I'm talking about the PDF Preview functionality in the Android app on a tablet. Version 2.4.7.18. I have the Reader app on the tablet and in all prior versions of Dropbox, the PDF opened automatically in the Reader app. Now PDF's open in the dropbox app first and I have to click a couple of buttons to send it to the Reader app. Would prefer to turn off this functionality.
- Kevin D.3New member | Level 2
Please make preview an option. I click on an xslx in DB. It fails and says preview not available. I click open with and it opens in documents to go. When I save it saves Ok, but tries to go to preview again and fails. This is awful.
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