Collaborator Word edits lost, version history does not show them editing

[chrisjorg]

Hi 

I created a shareable link for my collaborators to look at a Word document and add some edits. I have used Dropbox on multiperson collaborations before, and did not think there would be an issue. 

I clicked on the link I sent him , and saw his feedback (0.8 pages of text). I had my own version of the document open in local Word format. I must have clicked save, and closed the Chrome browser containing his edits. 5 min later, I looked for his edits, "gone". Support opened a ticket, but I was surprised I see no conflicted versions despite someone else working on it, version history shows NOTHING except my changes. SO BAD. What the hell. I'm quitting Dropbox if this does not get fixed. I am now embarrassed to ask my collaborator to re-add these things. 

[Jay · Accepted solution]

Hi @chrisjorg, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Just for clarification, what kind of shared link to the file did you create for them to edit the file?

This will help me to assist further!

[chrisjorg]

In Dropbox for Mac, I right click on the word file, under the Dropbox badge "Share file". Enable editing for all who have the link. He then edited in Word for the Web. Still, this is BAD. How am I supposed to know if my collaborator follows good practices. Google docs has instantaneous version edits. 

[Jay]

If a file is edited in Word for the Web, then it would be edited and saved almost immediately. 

Have you previously had conflicted copies when the same file with your collaborator was opened at the same time?

[chrisjorg]

That's what I thought. No, this is the first time. But as said, the text he added was gone when I looked for it again. There is also zero info in the versions tracking of anyone but myself. I really just want to see what he wrote and copy it, but what can be done now? I am too embarassed to ask him to write it down. 

Say he chose to 'delete' the text, it should still show up somewhere ??? 

[Jay]

There might not be a conflicted copy since this was via shared link.

If the text was deleted, then it could appear on the events page, but as you've mentioned, it isn't there in the version history.

[chrisjorg]

My bad: collaborator edited the file outside Dropbox. I have obtained the edits. Please accept my sincere apologies. So far Dropbox has not disappointed..

[Jay]

No worries, thanks for letting us know in this matter and that you were able to get the edits.