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Cannot edit some text files in Dropbox on iPhone?
In the Dropbox app on iPhone SE, I can open all my text files, but in some of them I do not get the Edit icon (looks like a cursor) at bottom left, so cannot edit them.
In others, I get the Edi...
K-C-L (and others following)
Thanks! You're onto the right cause, and solution ...well, workaround.
Dropbox App editor won't handle either certain characters (extended) or Windows Notepad default ANSI files. A pretty obvious shortcoming. These get rendered in a non-editable file - which looks like monospaced courier, but doesn't make a space for each <spacebar>. Go figure.
Anyway, the workarounds are:
- Convert all your Notepad ANSI files to UTF-8 (open file in Notepad, Save As..., dropdown box -> choose UTF-8 and Save. (Save all new files as UTF-8). This is what I am doing.
- Open the file in Dropbox App. Select a word, then Select All. Copy. Create new file (Text). Paste into the window, name, and Create. Kinda klugy.
Those both work - I've tested.
- There is a way to change Notepad default to UTF-8, which would prevent this from re-occurring, but you have to touch the Registry (I don't want to do that)
- Download Notepad++ which apparently can set a default without touching the Registry (cannot verify). Reportedly Notepad++ takes less resources too (don't know about that either)
OK, a PITA. But do-able. I guess.
But, the real problem is Dropbox App cannot show text files (.txt) in monospaced font (e.g. Menlo or Courier). This is basically a disqualifier for Dropbox for musicians who use text files to create Tab, or Notation files, or chord charts. That's a lot of people left out in the cold. Since they all share files, so Dropbox could / should own this market, but have shut themselves out.
Sanchez
Dropbox Community Moderator
Dropbox Community Moderator- OK Sanchez, one more item of note.
In the file that I CAN’T edit, what I see is in monspaced, fixed width serifed font. And, where there is type, each typed character is the same width. However, where more than one space bar created space exists, only one space actuallly shows.
So
123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345
1 space between C’’’’’ F’’’’’ and G’’
this line has more C’’’’’ F’’’’’ and G’’
In the file that I CAN’T edit, the phrase
C’’’’’ F’’’’’ and G’’
Looks like this:
C’’’’’ F’’’’’ and G’’
The “missing spaces” are not expected of course, but may offer further clues...
Mike if you are following along, does all this comport with what you see?
Cardinal 2B - thanks for the replies. I have not had time to do more on this yet, and am still busy with some other stuff re an imminent trip.
Re suggestion from Sanchez (above), would YOU like to raise a ticket about this? You seem to know a bit more than I do anyway?
When I copied/pasted into a new Notepad file, I still could not edit it, but I would need to run some more tests and can't do it just now.
Life was simpler before technology made everything easier.
Also, we don't seem to be able to attach files to our messages here?
Mike
Mike / Sanchez
I started by filing a support request email. Then was hunting around and found your thread with the same problem. It takes 72hrs for a response. When I get one I will advise.
Mike I would not let that stop you from starting your own.
- Sanchez
