Unable to open files synced to computer

[Clangdon]

Hi - 

I've been using dropbox for a few  months now and it has been aweseome - 

I've got a distributed team of 10 people working across the country - and we've been sharing files on Dropbox without issue until a couple of days ago. 

Suddnely, and for reasons I don't understand, no one is able to open files.  I thought it was me or my machine or my software .... but I'm getting the same reports from across the country that people are no longer able to open files stored on Dropbox.  

Everyone is getting the same error message and calling ME to fix the problem and i don't know what to do - 

The file “PDLogo_AnalyticsTag.png” could not be opened.

It may be damaged or use a file format that Preview doesn’t recognize.

Everythting was working fine until Friday or Saturday - when suddently file-opening stopped workiong. 

Please help !!!!!

[kajakiem]

Also, while synchronizing some files got "._" in the middle of them. 

[kajakiem]

Hello, 

I actually have same problem as Clangdon described (https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Files-folders/Unable-to-open-files-synced-to-computer/m-p/277271#M11...). I tried quitting Dropbox, it does not help. When I download files from Dropbox - then I can open them and they look just fine. The problem is with those that are syncornized. I can not Preview any of them, those that I worked on 4 days ago are working after opening them, but older ones ar enot. It looks like synchronizing is damaging files? This is the message window I get: 

Also while downloading some of them get "_." in the middle of name file, so I need to manually change them after.

[Walter]

Hello @kajakiem - welcome to the Dropbox Community!

As you can see, I moved your post under the thread you had quoted in your second post; merely to keep things neat around our Community.

As per the matter at hand now, kindly note that the issue you're seeing is a Mac issue that occurs when copying files with extended attributes metadata into a file system that doesn't support them. Depending on the information stored in the metadata, you may or may not need these files.

These files are called AppleDouble files and more information on how to handle them can be found by searching for:  "apple double files"

To avoid this issue if you have your Dropbox folder on an external drive, we usually recommend ensuring that the drive is formatted in the default file system format for the Operating System that is installed.

Formatting drives may cause data to be deleted. Please consult resources from your Operating System's manufacturer for steps and recommendations on formatting drives to a different file system. The most common default file systems are NTFS (Windows), HFS (Mac OS X) or ext4 (Linux).

I hope this information helps you find the culprit and please keep us posted on your progress!

[kajakiem]

Hello, I still have same problem, I can not open files that are syncronized. When I download them they are fine, I can open them. 

AI files are having problems with Text Import. 

PDF files are just not to open.

Indd files can not open.

etc...

[Walter]

Sorry to hear this persists @kajakiem. Let's have a look now!

Could you let me know if those files are synced locally to your device or if they happen to be set to 'Online Only' via your desktop app's Smart Sync settings? You can verify this by checking your files' syncing status icons if needed. 

Also, is your desktop app showing 'Up to date' when performing those actions?

Let me know what you find and we'll take it from there. 

[kajakiem]

Hello @Walter 

 thank you for quick response,

yes, problem concerns only-online files. How do I switch them to files that I can use?

Bests,

[kajakiem]

I am looking for information on only-online files, because I can not open them in any program, I need to download them to my computer first. I was wondering how do I turn "only-online" files into normal dropbox files that I can edit from my computer.

My desktop app is showing 'Up to date' when performing those actions.

[Fiona]

Hey @kajakiem! 

Online only files are shown locally and you should be able to edit them. You can see how they should look like here. 

To switch all your files to "Local" just select all your folders with your mouse. 

Right click (or control click for Mac) > Smart Sync> and "Local". Then your files will start syncing and when syncing is completed you will have the local green checkmarks instead of the gray cloud icons on your desktop.  

Let me know how this worked for you. 

[kajakiem]

Where should I do it? In Finder? There is Smart Sync option there...

[kajakiem]

And I can not open or edit any files that are "only-online". Please, see what I wrote above, on Tuesday last week.