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File Request - The following characters are not allowed: angle brackets \ / : ? * " |

Hello,

I'm creating a file request, like I have many time before but suddenly it is coming up with this warning:

'The following characters are not allowed: angle brackets \ / : ? * " |'

This makes no sense as I am not using any of these characters in my subject line. I have even just tried 1 character 'J' and it still came up with this warning and therefore unable to create the file request.

Any help here would be most useful.

Thank you

Adam

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Dance City

I've sorted it. Thank you all in advance

Nancy

I’m glad to hear the issue’s resolved now, @Dance City!

If you need something else along the way, we’re here for you.

cbega

Can you share how you resolved it?? I'm getting the same error.

DeWalta

I am also getting the same error. can someone help?

Nancy

Sorry to hear this, @DeWalta.

Are you receiving this error on different web browsers on your device?

Have you tried changing the title of your file request to another one, and it still appears?

DeWalta

Hey, thank you for trying to help.

Yes I have tried on multiple browsers (Chrome and Safari) and operating systems (Mac OSx and iOS iPad) and in all cases I keep receiving the same error.

DeWalta

and yes I have also tried changing multiple titles...

Jay

Hi @DeWalta, could you attach a screenshot showing us exactly where you're seeing this message?

lawman99

Hi. I'm getting the same issue, despite creating tons of file requests successfully in the past. As with others who posted, no file request creation seems possible. Tested in Chrome and Safari - same result.

lawman99

UPDATE: Creating a request via the Dropbox app on an Android phone also fails but with a slightly different error message - 'Your file request couldn't be created. Please try again later'.

I assume it is still the same overall issue.

justnickrich

Same exact issue on Chrome and Safari using an M1 Mac Studio. Dropbox any feedback or fix coming soon as this is a vital feature used frequently???

Walter

Hey @lawman99 & @justnickrich - thanks for flagging this with us.

Could you please clear your browser's cache and also try an incognito window with no extensions or plugins running and let us know if you still get the same error?

lawman99

Hi @Walter So it is now working, in that I am able to create file requests. Just an Incognito window wasn't enough, the cache also had to be cleared for it to work in Incognito mode. It still doesn't work in a normal browser window, so for a workaround it's OK but the issue should be properly fixed.

Thanks for advising.

lawman99

@Walter @justnickrich We may have got to the bottom of the issue. If any of the containing folders in the hierarchy have impermissible characters in them, the file request will likely fail. It's not easy to spot this as those folders behave fine in normal Dropbox usage; it only starts to be an issue when you create File Requests. Once we went up the hierarchy and checked all the folders above, we didn't need to clear cache or use Incognito.

Hope this helps others fix things.

Nancy

Hey @lawman99.

To clarify; did you also check your usual web browser and make sure all updates are installed?

Besides that, I'd like you to restore your browser to its default settings and disable any browser plugin. The issue you're experiencing may be the result of a security setting or a plugin that you have installed on your browser.

Does any of the above seem to make a difference?