Your workflow is unique 👨💻 - tell us how you use Dropbox here.
“Can't open the file because the file format/extension is not valid.” error on website/desktop app.
Hi, I’m having a serious issue with Dropbox where many of my files appear in the correct folders on both my computer and on Dropbox.com, but none of those specific files will open. I receive errors like: “Cannot open the file because the file format or file extension is not valid.” Here’s what’s happening: I can see the file names and folder structure in Explorer. I can also see the same file names on Dropbox.com. But when I try to open any of these files (locally or on the web), they fail with format/extension errors. The files appear to be zero‑byte placeholders rather than real files. Most of my other files still exist on my second laptop, but the ones I urgently need do not. These missing files appear in Dropbox, but none of them open anywhere. This all started after repeated issues with the Dropbox sync engine failing to start. Dropbox would install, but the app never launched, no tray icon appeared, and the sync engine seemed to be stuck in a crash loop. I believe this may have caused Dropbox to replace some of my original files with empty placeholder versions. I need help determining: Whether Dropbox has older historical versions of these files stored internally. Whether a data recovery review is possible for these zero‑byte or corrupted placeholder files. Whether Dropbox can confirm if these files ever successfully uploaded before the sync engine failed. These files are extremely important to me, and I’m hoping Dropbox Support can check server‑side logs or historical versions to see if recovery is possible. Thank you for any help or escalation you can provide.
I can't switch accounts on my Mac Mini
I have a M4 Mac Mini that is using the wrong DropBox account but I can't figure out how to switch it to the correct one. My PC is using the correct one and it is up to date with all files but my Mac Mini will not allow me to change my account. I have followed the directions to sign out of the wrong account but when I am automatically taken to the DropBox website it doesn't allow me to change my account to the correct one. It automatically assumes I want to sign into the incorrect one. What do I do?Tell Us How You Use Dropbox
No two people use Dropbox in exactly the same way. Some of you rely on it every day for work, others for school, creative projects, or keeping life organized - and we love that. We’d love to hear how you’re using Dropbox today - is it something you use once in a while, is it part of your day to day, are there any features you can’t live without? What workflows have you built that save time or reduce friction? And where do you see opportunities for us to do better? Your tips, ideas, and honest feedback really help us to make sure we can share useful tips, and they help other community members discover new ways to get more out of Dropbox too. Share your experience, favorite features, or suggestions in the comments below. Your voice truly helps shape the future of the Dropbox community 😁 The Dropbox Community Team
I can't open a folder shared with me; it appears grayed out on the Dropbox website.
Device mac Book Air Operating System/Browser (if using the web) Chrome Syncing Status I have no idea how to check this Question or Issue I'd like to access the Hypnosis -Money folder--it is a MP3 shared with me but I can't --as you can see it is shaded out. Not clickable. Thanks!
Dropbox Basic account is over quota and completely locked
Device Dell laptop Windows 10 Dropbox App Version (if using the app) n/a Question or Issue My Dropbox Basic account is over quota and completely locked. I cannot view or delete files via: - dropbox.com/home - /deleted_files - mobile app - desktop app I am not asking for more storage at the moment. I just need temporary access to delete files and bring the account under quota so I can properly assess my current and future needs. Can a Dropbox staff member advise or escalate? Many Thanks. MW
We want to open shared links directly on the desktop app and not the website.
Hi there. Love Dropbox. I moved our whole team to it from Google Drive much to all of our delight. The one hiccup that keeps coming up (was also an issue with Drive, but would be a game changing new feature from DB) is sharing links. Our team uses the desktop app to work with files directly in finder, but we share links to files and folders on slack and in email, etc... Right now we click a link, it opens the browser as expected, we find the file path in browser and then follow that path in finder. That seems like an awful lot of work when we have a direct connection between our finder and dropbox in the app. Perhaps the website could provide a link that connects to the desktop app, opening the folder/file in finder or windows explorer. Seems like a reasonable option to me, but what do others think?
