File Request - Please provide an option to NOT rename our uploaded files

[sunspots]

We receive tons of file submissions from our business partners daily. However, a large part of the time I spend managing these submissions is spent renaming the files because they're automatically prefixed or suffixed with the Dropbox username of the user that uploaded the file. This causes a lot of unnecessary work and wasted time.

I am requesting that you allow us - the paying Dropbox users - the option to determine for ourselves if the Dropbox username is desired  . . .  or, if the original unaltered filenames are what we'd like to have to work with.

Thank you.

PS - If I've linked you to this message, it was because you had created or responded to a thread that included the terms File & Request. I know this may not apply to everyone, but if you think that this is a reasonable feature to add (at least, the option to not have the Dropbox user prefixed or suffixed onto the original file name), then please vote for and link other Dropbox members that you think might benefit from this feature, and promote this idea!

@Staab,  @Drew G, @Teamchil, @benebelt1, @dwcapture, @buildonrock, @Artisticfuries, @mccarthian, @SuperStock, @Macn101, @MeritDeveloper, @VJG21,  @Birsay, @tc16, @Rich, @ramiromalcala, @Mark, @Ed, @PPT320, @Greg-DB, @Filip H, @Jay @Tom Tom, @hallofgame2k22, @w_l, @Hannah, @Nancy, @marplatense, @jcm48, @dappelgren

[bc704]

Is there a way when sending a file request to adjust a setting to remove the current formatting that inserts the name of the person who submits the file in front of the file name? Current formatting: John Doe - RequestedFile.xlsx Desired formatting: RequestedFile.xlsx Thank you!

[Mark]

No there isnt, sorry.

However, they can put *ANYTHING* in those boxes so if you require specific info make sure you tell them that when they log on

[Jay]

There isn't an option to put a blank name since you'll get an error.

A way around this is to instead type a space for the first and last name, though it might not look as pretty for a filename to be preceded by multiple spaces.

[test38]

Dropbox is changing the filenames of files that someone is uploading through a "file request" to my Dropbox. However, these files need to link to an index file and by changing the names it breaks the link so I don't want it to rename them. Can you tell me how to stop Dropbox from renaming files automatically putting the name of the person uploading into the filename? This is driving me mad. 

[Mark]

I'm afraid if you are using File Uploads there is no way to stop this.

A work around would be to use a Shared Folder with the other person, or, them to upload everything as 1 zip file which you then unzip and get everything out of.

[corysed]

Hi, 

I'm setting up Dropbox Business File Requests for the delivery of files from clients/talent. Each upload is arrving with the username added to the uploaded file name. e.g. TestFile.jpg uploads as Username - TestFile.jpg

Is it possible to turn off the feature that adds the user/requestee name to the uploaded file? Having to remove the added username to hundreds of files delivered just isn't practical for my production workflow.

My process has been to navigate to the desired folder for the File Transfer, right clicking on the folder, choose Request Files option, add a title/name to the request and input the email address of the party the request is for.

Thanks for your help!

[Lusil]

Hi there @corysed, thanks for reaching out to us about file request submissions. 

Currently, users uploading via a file request require to atleast enter the First name box and a valid email address. 

However, you can have a look at this thread where other users have also shown their interest in such a feature. 

Hope this helps to some extent!

[corysed]

Can't say that it helps, but I'll voice my desire to have this feature made optional in the thread you linked to.

[K-DB]

How do I stop changes to filename when files uploaded using the file request function?

Yesterday, I tested a new file request that I set up. The uploaded file had my dropbox user name added as a prefix to the filename.  I expected to get around 350 files uploaded from about 80 different people. If I proceed with this file request, I would have to rename all the filenames. It is very important that the beginning of the filename isn't changed and is able to be sorted into ascending order for the file request to be useful to me.

I did checkout some previous messages, dating back to 2015 with the same issue. Saying that there was no solution to this issue. It seems like the assumption that everyone wants to know who sent the file.

A possible solution would be to add three options to have the the username

1.  added as a prefix
2.  added as a suffix
3.  or not added at all

I hope this can be resolved, so I can use the File Request feature.