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Sondos944's avatar
Sondos944
Helpful | Level 5
6 years ago

Same file Different folders

Hi there,

I need to know if it's possible to make changes on a file which is shared with many different members, I mean the same file exists in different folders and I want to change it once for all of them ..

Thanks.
  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    6 years ago

    Hey Sondos944 - welcome to our Community!

    What Здравко mentions is valid for files that are explicitly within shared folders.

    If you'd like to update/change this file on one location and have the changes reflect on other places (other folders, shared folders etc.) too, this won't be possible as these files would be different copies of the file in question (having different file-paths etc.). 

    I hope this clears things up a tad and please let us know if you have any follow up questions. 

  • Здравко's avatar
    Здравко
    Legendary | Level 20

    Everybody receiving shared folder can 'mount' this (same) folder using different name and place, so, in this context shortest answer is: Yes, it's possible.

      • Walter's avatar
        Walter
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        Hey Sondos944 - welcome to our Community!

        What Здравко mentions is valid for files that are explicitly within shared folders.

        If you'd like to update/change this file on one location and have the changes reflect on other places (other folders, shared folders etc.) too, this won't be possible as these files would be different copies of the file in question (having different file-paths etc.). 

        I hope this clears things up a tad and please let us know if you have any follow up questions. 

  • Здравко's avatar
    Здравко
    Legendary | Level 20

    Hi Sondos944,

    As in your initial question:


    Sondos944 wrote:
    ...
    I need to know if it's possible to make changes on a file which is shared with many different members, I mean the same file exists in different folders and I want to change it once for all of them ..
    ...

    when you share some folder to another parties, they will receive it and will have a option to set a name (by default this name is same as yours). In all cases (either using same name or different names) the shared dir will sit in directory tree of every one of the parties. The same like recipients have received shortcuts to your directory and every one recipient can name this shortcut as appropriate. So, same shared file (in shared dir) could be pointed throughout different path from different parties. The file is same while using anyone possible path in this situation and your change in the file (from you point of view) will reflect any other point of view.

    Some additional related tips could be read here.

    Hope this additional explanation cast additional light. :wink:

  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

    Sondos944 wrote:
    ... I mean the same file exists in different folders and I want to change it once for all of them ..

    In this case, Walter is correct. If you have multiple copies of the same file stored in different folders within your own Dropbox (regardless of whether or not those copies are shared with others), there's no way to edit one and have it update all the other copies.

    • Здравко's avatar
      Здравко
      Legendary | Level 20

      Rich, Read carefully initial question before commenting!

      Yes I agree Walter formulation is correct. But in Walter explanation the case is expanded outside Sondos944 question! Where you had read "multiple copies of the same file" at the beginning? In this context what is:


      Rich wrote:

      ... (regardless of whether or not those copies are shared with others), there's no way to edit one and have it update all the other copies.


      ??? "No way" (general said so) is incorrect, definitely!

      • Rich's avatar
        Rich
        Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

        Здравко wrote:

        Read carefully initial question before commenting!


        You should take your own advice, and pay attention to the part that I quoted in my reply.


        ... I mean the same file exists in different folders and I want to change it once for all of them ..

        Sondos944's initial message seems to indicate that there are multiple copies of the same file, each within a different folder in his Dropbox, and each of those locations is shared with someone else. This doesn't sound like a single folder shared with multiple people, in which case updating a file in that folder would update for everyone. Instead, this sounds like there are multiple shared folders, each with a separate copy of the same file, and a desire to change just one copy and have it change them all, which is simply not possible with Dropbox.

        Now, if it is in fact a single folder within his Dropbox, shared to multiple people, then yes, editing a file in that folder would obviously be changed for all members of the share, but I don't believe that's what was being asked, and it would seem that Walter doesn't either by his own reply.

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