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Forum Discussion
Copy link button creates an edit link on a view file
I made a folder that has a view link. When clicking the copy link button, it enables an edit link which I do not want, I want it strictly view only. Is there a way to change this default action? How ...
Hi Megan,
In the past, I just right-clicked on the item and copied the link.
Here's the process I used this time. First on a word document:
And when I paste the link into my browser, I see this top toolbar (as I should).
Now I repeat the process with a pdf:
And when I paste the link into my browser, I get a control bar with edit options.
I would like to be able to go back to just right-clicking and copying a link, but I am nervous, given that there was no warning when those links suddenly switched to 'edit' links after being 'view' links for so many years. I'd appreciate advice on that as well.
Thank you,
Pat
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
Dropbox Community ModeratorHi patb1, it looks like you're still signed into your account when accessing the shared link, as it says that you have access to the file.
Could you try opening the link from an incognito/private browsing window, while not signed into your account, to see if you get any different options?
Hi Jay,
When I open the 'view' link from a private window, when logged out, it gives me the non-editing toolbar.
When I send it to a student, they get a window without the edit option. But when they open it from inside moodle, they get the edit option.
The links are the same except for the part that comes after the 'php?'. Could that be the problem?
That doesn't seem to be the issue, because when I tried it again with a private window I got the same results with the identical link.
- Jay
Could you clarify what Moodle is exactly, and it affects Dropbox links? Are the users signed into their own Dropbox account when viewing the link?
Moodle is our course management system. It allows us to post urls and documents to share them with students. I've never seen it change a url before. 😞
The users do not need to have dropbox links, though some of them might.
- Jay
What exactly happens when a user in Moodle clicks the edit PDF button, or the Draw button? Does it allow them to change the PDF in the shared link itself?
If so, does the change save for anyone else who views the same shared link, or just for that user? What about if you view the shared link in an incognito window afterwards?
I'll let you know when I find out, but it will be a while.
Alex_dbxDropbox Staff
Hi patb1, I'm Alex - PM lead for document tools at Dropbox. We tested the flows based on your feedback and verified that students shouldn't be able to edit original document. They can only create an edited copy and save it separately. Please let me know if your experience is different.
However, I do agree that with recent change in UI it became confusing. I really do apologize for that, as I can see it disrupted your work quite a bit. We're working on improving experience here (in fact you already should see improvements). Thank you for your feedback!
For years, I have used the right-click function in Windows Explorer to copy and share links to files for student use. My default Dropbox settings clearly say "View only." It is only this past year that I have found that students have been able to edit the files without downloading them, including on a spreadsheet shared for the final exam. This is, as others have said, a significant breach.
I need to continue using the Explorer interface; logging into the the online server each time I want to share a link is tedious and impractical. Like the original poster to this thread, I no longer trust Dropbox as I have in the past. Is there a solution?- Hannah
Hey slruss63, thanks for taking the time to post your feedback to our Community.
Can you take a look at these steps and let me know if they help?
