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Forum Discussion
Edit a text (*.txt) file in Chrome browser
Hi there,
I'm struggling to edit a TXT file in Chrome browser on Dropbox. I'm sure I've done it with a .docx file before.
When I search for this feature, Google returns results asking for it back to 2012, but there's nothing recently, the feature requests such as this one have been closed, so I'm assuming I'm having an issue with my account. Especially since Dropbox is pushing Family plans, signature, and other feature way more complex and less universal as a simple TXT editor. I've been using link removed it has looked the same for years and works fine, but I find it extra weird that a giant company like Dropbox doesn't have a similar feature.
How do you usually edit a TXT file in the browser? I only have a few lines to add/remove, when I'm on a machine without the Dropbox app/daemon installed, and don't want to leave any file traces on that machine.
See my environment in Chrome on a Macbook air, as a Dropbox Plus paying client. On TXT files, I have an "Open in" Menu, but the arrow only opens a 2px high line. This is definitely not expected behavior, as if the submenu was empty, it should not appear with an arrow in the first place. What could I be I missing here?
Hannah CDropbox Product Manager
- Megan
Dropbox Staff
Hi jb43, happy Monday!
In your post, you mentioned that you've tried to edit both .docx files, and .txt too. You're right, at the moment Dropbox doesn't have a built-in .txt file editor.
Now, the dropdown options that you have when you try to click on "Open in" depend on the kind of file you’re trying to open. If the app you need doesn’t appear, click Connect apps and follow the prompts to connect an app, in order to then be able to open your files online. Have you tried that?
Some helpful Help Center articles are this one, and this one too.
Keep me posted!
Thanks for your reply Megan,
> In your post, you mentioned that you've tried to edit both .docx files, and .txt too. You're right, at the moment Dropbox doesn't have a built-in .txt file editor.
Can you precise what you mean by "at the moment"? Asking as the threads about it, the feature requests, have been marked as solved without a solution, or recently just closed:
- https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Delete-edit-and-organize/Edit-text-files/td-p/504160
- https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-ideas/Edit-text-file-in-browser-window/idi-p/19795
- https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-ideas/Add-universal-txt-file-edit-interface/idi-p/550439
I think I may be going crazy, as I recall having done it before with Dropbox. Maybe it was another platform? People have been asking a simple text editor on Twitter and Reddit since 2012 ... Anyway it must be a valid user pain point, as it allows a dev is asking 12 USD/year for that feature: https://textdropapp.com/
> Now, the dropdown options that you have when you try to click on "Open in" depend on the kind of file you’re trying to open. If the app you need doesn’t appear, click Connect apps and follow the prompts to connect an app, in order to then be able to open your files online. Have you tried that?
I still think the "Open In" button has a bug.
See two screenshots, without clicking on it, and with clicking on it. When clicking on it, it only shows a line of a few pixels. Looks like it tries to open a menu, but that menu has no items.
I can find the "Connect Apps" option through another menu, and it takes me to https://www.dropbox.com/apps. Is there anything in there that allows editing TXT files? It's way simpler than all the proprietary formats supported like DOCX, even PDF editors are there, yet I can't find a .txt editor (a 50-line HTML page with a textbox would do!)
> Some helpful Help Center articles are this one, and this one too.
Yes! With Dropbox I can edit a .docx file in the browser, and the experience is great. The menu "Open in" has options for "Word for web" and "Google Docs". Yet, a file with a .txt extension doesn't trigger any editor. How do you do it?
- Hannah
Hey jb43, sorry to jump in here.
Indeed, it's not possible to edit a .txt file through Dropbox.
We appreciate your feedback on this, however, and I will make sure that your comments are passed along to our team.
Regarding what you see when you click on the "open in" button, do you see this behavior on other browsers/private browsing windows as well?
Dear support,
I am a very old user of Dropbox (maybe 2007/2008) and I suggested moving many of my friends to use it, but now I am really disappointed.
Every year the Dropbox team "forgets" to implement a web plain text editor for the browser.
This is a simple COMMODITY that all the competitors already have, and I am thinking to switch to a different service.
There is a plan to deliver it and a deadline or do I have to move to a different service?
Thank you
# SOME OLD REQUEST
2023: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Delete-edit-and-organize/Edit-a-text-txt-file-in-Chrome-browser/td-p/658939
2021: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-ideas/Add-universal-txt-file-edit-interface/idi-p/550439
2021: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Delete-edit-and-organize/Edit-text-files/td-p/504160
2018: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-ideas/Create-files-text-and-markdown-in-Dropbox-via-web-interface/idi-p/278997
2015: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-ideas/Edit-text-file-in-browser-window/idc-p/300594
2015: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-ideas/Edit-text-file-in-browser-window/idi-p/19795
(And many more)In other words, is it possible to update text in a way that the file retains the same URL? Thanks.
Megan,
Am I right that the new file would generate a different URL?
