No longer able to open .txt files in Dropbox editor on Android phone app, asked to convert to Google

[anndinkc]

Starting this week, I am unable to open my .txt files with the Dropbox Editor on the Dropbox Android phone app. I am now being presented with the following message:

Upload to View
This file type can only be viewed if it is first uploaded and converted into a Google Docs file. Do you want to continue?

I do not want to use Google Docs for my .txt files. I have tried that provided option, but you then must tie the document to a Google account, and it does annoying auto-formatting and such which I am purposely trying to avoid by using .txt files in the first place.

Is Dropbox editor being deprecated? Is there any way to use another text editor on my device instead of converting to a Google Doc and tying back to a Google account? I am unable to even try to open this document using another editor now, you get the same 'Upload to View' message when clicking the kabab menu too

[Nancy]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention, @anndinkc. 

Can you send over a full screenshot of the error you’re getting? 

Also, what’s the OS version of your device, and the app version of the Dropbox app on it?

Let me know, and we’ll take a closer look.

[anndinkc]

@Nancy Thanks for the quick response Nancy. What is the best way to send over a screenshot? I am not seeing a way to add it to my original post or here in a comment

OS version: Android version 14
Dropbox app version: 358.2.4

Exact message text:

Upload to View

This file type can only be viewed if it is first uploaded and converted into a Google Docs file. Do you want to continue?

[anndinkc]

I generated an imgur link for the screenshot [removed per Community Guidelines]

File in question: DailyToDo.txt

[Nancy]

Hey again, @anndinkc! Due to security reasons, I can’t click on the link you’ve posted. You can upload your screenshot though by clicking on the small camera icon above your message box on the forum.

[anndinkc]

@Nancy Thanks Nancy. looks like I had to switch to Desktop view to see that option (I'm on mobile)

[Jay]

Hi @anndinkc, are you certain that the text files are associated with the Dropbox text editor? 

Could you check your default apps on Android for Dropbox?

[anndinkc]

@Jay I don't have any default apps configured for .txt files

Is the Dropbox editor part of the Dropbox app? or is that a separate install? I don't think it used to be separate and I don't see a separate editor in Google Play store

Here are the Dropbox defaults

[Nancy]

Is there any chance that the text files you can’t open via Dropbox contain any non-Latin characters? I’m asking because this could also alter the unicode encoding of the file, and result in the Dropbox app being unable to open it.

[anndinkc]

@Nancy I don't believe so. This is happening for all of my .txt files with Dropbox now. Unless some encoding changes were recently made on your end?