Iphone doesn't sync with computer

[Jeff267]

I use the free DropBox version to track hobby purchases.  I update an Excel file on my PC to indicate the items I have purchased and have DropBox installed on my iPhone and my iPad.  I seem to have always had sync issues and have ended up buying items, basing purchase decisions on the DropBox file found on my iPhone, that I already had and had indicated on my PC file.  I have two questions before doing away with DropBox:

1- why doesn't my iPhone file sync with the file on my computer;

2- why does the desktop DropBox app eventually change into a simple folder that looks like this:

My thanks in advance to anyone who can enlighten me.

[Jay]

No, that was just a test to see if the phone and desktop were able to detect changes on your account in general. 

Updating files from your computer directly would then sync to the site, and then to the phone. 

[Jeff267]

OK, thanks Jay.  So what do I do next to make sure all three devices sync automatically without having to do the "Upload" operation?

[Jay]

There shouldn't be anything else to try, since it should happen automatically. Without knowing what is causing the mobile app to not update, there isn't any way to determine the cause.

This is why I suggested uninstalling it completely and reinstalling it, to try to clear any data which could be affecting the sync to the site.

[Jeff267]

OK, thanks Jay.  I will keep an eye on it and uninstall / reinstall the app on my phone as a last try if I notice it not updating.  Last question ... why does the desktop app turn into a folder that looks like this?

[Jay]

It might depend on the settings for the OS itself on how to show a shortcut to a folder. It should still work to open the Dropbox folder itself.

[Jeff267]

It opens the Dropbox folder, but not the app.  I updated a file on my computer a couple of hours ago and just checked ... it still shows the old file on both my iPhone and iPad.  I think I am going to have to move away from Dropbox ....