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user71's avatar
user71
Explorer | Level 3
5 months ago

Automation won't apply to existing files. How can I achieve that?

I have a directory with a very large number of files (several thousand) that I only access online. All of the files have names based on their date of creation (eg 2025-07-01-7:00.txt). I would like t...
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user71's avatar
user71
Explorer | Level 3
5 months ago

I followed the steps:

When I add the automation, I click on "Apply to existing files". 

Then, a notification appears on my homepage under the notifications bell saying "Automation will apply to new files ... but not to existing files". 

I took some screenshots, but when I drag an drop them onto this box, I get "File not allowed". Also, there is no option to attach a file at the bottom of this box. 

If you can link this help query to my dropbox account, the folder is an App folder called "Audio2024". 

 

Thanks. 

 

 

Nancy's avatar
Nancy
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
5 months ago

Hey user71! Are you getting an error, if you try to copy paste your screenshot directly into your message box here?

  • user71's avatar
    user71
    Explorer | Level 3
    5 months ago

    Yes.  When I drag a JPG to the message box it says "File not allowed." I'm using firefox on arch linux. 

    • Jay's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
      5 months ago

      Hi user71, thanks for the info. Could you try copying and pasting the image directly into your next reply in order for us to assist further.

      • user71's avatar
        user71
        Explorer | Level 3
        5 months ago

        It turns out that the problem with attaching the screenshot files was that they were too large. I have reduced their size and attach them here. 

         

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