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File deletions occasionally fail in Dropbox
Observed when processing files with a Python script of my own, but likely to be a nuisance to developers of any software, that allows you to store files in arbitrary locations. A common pattern when modifying files is to first write them to a temporary file in the same directory (ensuring that it is on the same physical drive) and then replacing the original file with the modified file. This pattern gives safety against data corruption, if the program fails while creating the new version of the file. In Python, that translates in the simplest case to: tempfile = file.with_suffix(file.suffix + ".tmp") tempfile.write_text("hello world") tempfile.replace(file) On Windows, I find that this pattern frequently fails with an error like PermissionError: [WinError 32] The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process: 'E:\\Dropbox\\tmp\\test.txt' but only for files in Dropbox. This means that any script I write must allow for retrying the .replace() step. To give a more complete, read-to use, example I provide the subsequent script, which repeatedly performs the pattern both in %TEMP% and in E:\Dropbox\tmp. On my System, Dropbox is on E:\Dropbox, so that part has to be adjusted for anyone trying the script. For me, the script rarely manages more than 8 repetitions. import os from pathlib import Path TEMPFILE_DIR = Path(os.getenv("TEMP")) DROPBOX_ROOT = Path("E:/Dropbox") # Adjust for you system, usually C:/Users/Username/Dropbox" def main(): tempdirfile = TEMPFILE_DIR / "tmp.txt" dropboxfile = Path("E:/Dropbox/tmp/test.txt") i = 0 while True: i += 1 print(i) for file in (tempdirfile, dropboxfile): # file.unlink() # would solve in most cases, but still fails every few hundred attempts # # also defeats the purpose of using the pattern in the first place tempdirfile.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True) tempfile = file.with_suffix(".txt.tmp") tempfile.write_text(TEXT) print("In {}: {} -> {}".format(file.parent, file.name, tempfile.name)) tempfile.replace(file) TEXT = """ Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris justo purus, pharetra quis ornare in, tincidunt et odio. Sed pulvinar lorem vel justo vestibulum aliquet. Nunc et nisi dui. Cras tempus lacus ac quam imperdiet mattis. Maecenas tristique dui vel orci condimentum volutpat. Quisque ut mauris metus. Fusce libero metus, luctus eget sagittis a, venenatis et ex. Aenean purus tellus, feugiat et libero vel, congue elementum tellus. Cras at interdum nulla. Ut ut nunc id nibh lacinia dapibus quis id turpis. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Vestibulum eu iaculis sapien. Fusce lobortis massa at molestie posuere. """ if __name__ == "__main__": main()
Offline edit option for the Dropbox Paper desktop app for MacOS
A major drawback in Dropbox Paper is not having the ability to edit while offline. It would be so beneficial to make it work offline, and then just sync/save when we're back online. It really limits the functionality when it's online-only. Thank you for your consideration.
Notification/warning when closing a locked file
My idea is about locked files and the problem that people forget to unlock it after they're done working in it. To avoid that people forget to unlock a file after they close it, it would be nice that you get a warning about the file still being locked when you close it. (in the same way an application asks you if you want to save changes before closing it) This notification would avoid the problem that a file stays locked for hours or days without reason, just because someone forgot to unlock it.
Access to "overfilled" Dropbox
I have been using the free version of Dropbox and the automatic backups I had set overfilled it. Now I can't get into Dropbox to remove files or change what backups are made. If I click on Dropbox, it only shows a pdf file (not mine) and nothing else. In the bottom left corner of the screen is a message in pink showing that I have exceeded the storage limit. However, there is no option for actually accessing my files for deletion or changing anything in my account. A young man on Dropbox's help chat got me to a point where I could see the files, but I was unable to delete or download any of them. Very frustrating.
I'm no longer able to edit documents in Word/Excel on iOS
Iâm using a basic account on an iPad mini and have had no problems over the years opening and editing documents in word and excel. I recently switched to the newest model (7 with iOS 18.3.2), updated Dropbox, word and excel, restarted the tablet and am continuously being asked to activate Microsoft 365 to edit documents. Iâve tried just entering my Hotmail info which has worked in the past but it says subscription not found. My Dropbox account is showing in word on the left hand side as an other storage option and I can view and open all of my documents but canât edit them. How can I fix this?How can I share a file with view access?
We use Dropbox for our weekly schedules. When I open a schedule (file), it opens in view mode. When my new employee opens a file, it opens in edit mode. This is dangerous because it's an excel doc and if she's accidentally in a cell and types anything, the previous information is erased. If I want to edit, from viewing the file I can click on the "open in" drop-down and choose "Excel for web", then edit and save & close. I want her to be able to open for viewing like I do with the option to open in excel for web. I've looked for help on this issue and the only response online is a quick view option . This will change settings for opening a viewing sidebar (which NONE of us want) or full screen. I've changed her settings to quick view full screen but it still opens in edit mode. Help???Easier editing of PDFs on mobile
It would be really useful if a couple of things were added to the editing of PDFs when using a mobile device. - For one, a simple way to add something like a tick or a cross would be really useful. - The ability to copy and paste any edits. - The ability to draw, like you can when editing on desktop.
The most recently edited file won't sync on my macOS Sequoia 15.3.2 desktop app.
For the past few weeks, I've very frequently encountered an issue where the most recently edited file wonât sync. The only way to resolve this is to move the file out of Dropbox and then return it to its original location. Strangely, when I move the file out of Dropbox, an older version of the same file appears. I then have to overwrite the old version with the most recent file that wasnât syncing. I'm using MacOS Sequoia 15.3.2, and my Dropbox desktop app is version v220.4.4126.
Error opening and editing any file saved in a shared folder.
When we try to open the file it pop up with the error saying attached screenshot for better understanding. After logout and login still the same, we uninstall and install the dropbox app still the same error. Final we remove the users permission from share folder and then later we added the shared folder.
