Forum Discussion

slidedesignr's avatar
slidedesignr
Helpful | Level 6
6 years ago

I can no longer overwrite a file - same exact name - but keep the same link!

This just suddenly started in the last couple of days, after working for years. I'm having an issue where a new link is generated for an updated version of the same file with the same name in the sam...
desktop
edit
Error Messages
Share
shared links
sync
slidedesignr's avatar
slidedesignr
Helpful | Level 6
6 years ago

Sure. 

 

  1. Upload file called 999File.doc (fake name) to the folder My Private Folder 
  2. Copy that same file to the shared folder Client Folder when it's ready for them to view
  3. They make comments directly in Dropbox
  4. Make requested updates to 999File.doc in My Private Folder
  5. When finished, copy and paste to Client Folder (note the filename has not changed) when it's ready for them to view the new resolved updates
  6. TYPICALLY what happens is this overwrites the previous 999File.doc, and the same share URL points to it. Comments and annotations in Dropbox are preserved, thought it will say something like "Older Version"
  7. NOW what happens is...the previous version of 999File.doc is deleted, along with all of the comments and annotations, and a new URL is created for the new version of 999File.doc.

 

This is a major problem. If it's something specific to my account, please let me know what I need to do to resolve this. 

Thanks!

Walter's avatar
Walter
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
6 years ago

Hey slidedesignr; thanks for the additional details here.

 

I'm not sure if this will do the trick, but have you tried overwriting the file using our website and not by copying or moving the file on your desktop with our desktop app running?

 

While we're at it, are you using our new desktop app when overwriting the file(s) or your Finder/File Explorer? 

 

In case this keeps happening, could you send us a sample shared link that's showing this behavior so we can have a look on our end? 

  • slidedesignr's avatar
    slidedesignr
    Helpful | Level 6
    6 years ago

    Hi Walter, I have the desktop app installed, but I don't use it. I'm saving to/ copying/ overwriting/ etc using the synced folders on my Mac.

     

    What's the best way to shoot you a link? 

    • Jay's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
      6 years ago

      Hi slidedesignr, are you using the native Finder app on your app, or a third party file explorer when copying and pasting?

       

      If not, it sounds like there was a recent change in the OS somehow, where instead of overwriting a file, it deletes the original, thus deleting it from Dropbox along with the shared link, and then adding the file again as new.

       

      We're not able to duplicate this behavior on our machines.

      • slidedesignr's avatar
        slidedesignr
        Helpful | Level 6
        6 years ago

        I'm using Finder. I've changed nothing on my end. 


        If you search the community, there have been others with this issue as well. 

About Delete, edit, and organize

Solve issues with deleting, editing, and organizing files and folders in your Dropbox account with support from the Dropbox Community.

The Dropbox Community team is active from Monday to Friday. We try to respond to you as soon as we can, usually within 2 hours.

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X, Facebook or Instagram.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!