Changed a file name

[Canadachick13]

I changed a mp4 file name and now it won't work. I've tried to restore it but it doesn't seem to be working. It's an important video to me. What can I do?

[Jay]

Hi @Canadachick13, thanks for messaging the Community.

What error are you getting when trying to preview the file?

When renaming the file, did you remove the .mp4 extension at the end?

This will help me to assist further!

[Canadachick13]

No I didn't remove the mp4. I assumed it was like any other thing and you just change name. When I try and open it it tells me these types of files can't be opened.

[Megan]

Hi @Canadachick13, is it possible that you removed the file's extension, by any chance? 

That would prevent the file from previewing. Did you also try using file version history to revert it back?

[Canadachick13]

All I did was click change name. Erased name there and put it as I wanted it. I tried to restore it but it doesn't work. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

[Jay]

Could you clarify exactly what part of the name you erased, and how you tried to restore it?

[Canadachick13]

I erased the whole name. Just as you would a picture. And I followed the instructions I googled on how to restore. I clicked the file and then version and selected the 1 I wanted clicked restore and I still just have the file I can't open

[Jay · Accepted solution]

Okay, there is a difference between deleting the entire file, and deleting the whole filename itself. Since you said you were renaming the file, could you confirm the exact steps you took?

Also, is the file visible on the events page?

[Canadachick13]

I just clicked rename and changed the name. Just clicked the events page you posted clicked restore the file and it came back. Thanks!

[Rich]

---

@Canadachick13 wrote:
All I did was click change name. Erased name there and put it as I wanted it.

---

What @Jay is getting at is if you erased the entire file name and typed what you wanted, without putting the .mp4 back on the end of the file, then neither Dropbox nor your computer would know how to handle the file anymore. Your file name needs to end in .mp4 (that's the file's extension) in order for a system to know how to handle the file.