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White Space Conflict

I keep getting extra folders created labeled White Space Conflict

how can I get this to stop?

yes, I have reviewed the thread https://www.dropboxforum.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/203280795-How-to-erase-White-Space-Conflict-folder?input_string=White%20Space%20Conflict

thanks

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Hi Peter

I recommend following up on the ticket if you still have questions - however, I believe your core issue with the White Space conflict may be something that would need to be investigated in the future as a new feature within Dropbox (rather than a bug).

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Hi Peter

Have you read this help article https://help.dropbox.com/syncing-uploads/white-space-conflict ?

Let me know if this helps.

peter e.7

Yes Ed, I did read that before I made my post.

I do understand how to fix the mess the Dropbox software creates, I have done it several times.

My question: How can I prevent this from happening? Better yet, will Dropbox repair the bug in their software?

Thanks.

Perhaps the best is to avoid saving files with the same name. You can add _ or - or number it if they have to follow some logic, example:

filename_a
filename_b

filename_1
filename_2

peter e.7

Ed: that is not a very practical method considering the company wide long standing file naming conventions, we use spaces, and thousands of files getting changed and updated daily.

If there is something I can do in the software settings I would like to know.

Ed: What is your title "dropboxer"? Do you work for dropbox or are you a real user?

thanks, Peter

peter e.7

crickets

The situation has gotten worse. this morning I found 25 GB of files and folders all labeled (White Space Conflict). pure trash. I deleted them all from my dropbox folder on my primary computer.

I did the same on my home computer...

I cleaned it out a few days ago. This floods my bandwidth at home and in the office, and it fills the folders.

If I can't get help I am going to have to quite using the sync tool on all of my computers.

peter e.7

Ed:

re:https://help.dropbox.com/syncing-uploads/white-space-conflict
=== it really does not say much at all ===
What's a white space conflict?

If two files with almost the exact same name exist in the same folder of your Dropbox, but the only difference is an extra space in the name of the file, a white space conflict will occur. Dropbox would rather be extra careful about saving your file if the file name is not identical in any way, so it will create a copy of the file rather than replace the existing file. The most recently changed copy will be appended with "white space conflict".

To reconcile the conflict, either rename the conflicted file to something unique, or make sure you avoid renaming the file with an extra space or character the next time you save the file.

=========

not very helpful. We should be able to use any file name we choose. period. your software "thinks" there is an error, but there is None. Just save the file with the Same Name...

file names are often generated by the User Software. It Works. Dropbox is the problem.

Hi Peter

Apologies for the delay. I suggest you open a ticket with our support team on http://www.dropbox.com/support including details of the issue and filenames so they can assist you further.

Thanks and apologies again!

peter e.7

done, support ticket submitted.

I don't know what file names you have problems with.

Currently, on this machine, in my dropbox folder I have 29 files, and 8 folders (containing 448 items) that have (White Space Conflict) appended. ... 8,752 items, totaling 2.7 GB...

I provided a link to this thread. I have no idea what else I can provide.

peter e.7

I got a autoreply from dropbox support. Ticket #4349709: DB: White Space Conflict

I can not sign in with my dropbox email and password. If I change my password then I will have to setup multiple machines over again, I am not a happy person.

Hi Peter

peter e.7

I have responded to the email they sent me with the following message:

thanks for your reply

use the terms you choose. I would consider a Feature Request an enhancement.
this is actually a different situation, what I would call a Bug.

to be clear: dropbox changes my file and folder names.
those names are very important, they need to be preserved. Exactly, not "slightly modified"
the vast majority of those file names (probably All) are generated by application software.
When you change those names I would assume they will not be recognized and used properly in the original application: Worthless.

dropbox changes my file and folder names... I do Not want that, ever.

besides the huge amount of files, space, and bandwidth (13,600 items, totaling 3.9 GB) your copies serve no purpose for me.

I am willing to assist you in any way to trouble shoot this.
I am a Linux user, ext4 file format, using rsync cron for backups.

Thanks, Peter

=======

thanks

peter e.7

for context, this was their response:

Max, Jun 2, 2:08 PM PDT:

Hi Peter,

Thanks for contacting Dropbox support. It is my understanding you wish to request the feature of being able to save files of similar names with spaces.

I will be sending your ticket up as a feature request. As you already know saving files with names only different through a space is not something Dropbox allows t this time.

This will not be changed simply by the request of 1 user, but with this feature requested by numerous people it's likely Dropbox will listen and develop a resolution if one is possible.

If you have any additional questions or concerns please let me know.

Regards,
Max