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Dropbox Link Broken When Overwriting File

Hello

I've been having problems lately when overwriting files on Dropbox. It used to be that when I'd overwrite a PDF exported from Indesign, the file location and link would stay persistent. But as of late, DropBox has been generating a new share link each time I overwrite the file, breaking the old link in the process. I'm not sure if this is some new version control feature but it's incredibly frustrating because the original link is used for review and commenting. When the file is overwritten the comments and discussion are gone and all that's left is a page saying that the file was deleted. Can someone please help me get to the bottom of this issue.

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Jay

Hi @bricealef, thanks for posting on the Community!

In general, overwriting a file wouldn't delete the shared link on the file, unless the OS or app was deleting the original, and then creating a new version of the file.

Could you try uploading the file to the site directly to see if the link remains the same?

Keep me updated with any progress!

LSD_C

Hello Community,

I was just wondering if there was any more information to this topic of DB killing links to files that are updated?

I've had this problem appear in the last few weeks too. Any files I update, kills the link that has been shared with clients or team members. Which to say the least is causing a lot of problems.

Any advice appreciated.
Thanks.

Walter

Hey @LSD_C, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Can you clarify how exactly are you updating the files your shared links point to?

Thanks!

LSD_C

Hi Walter,
Many thanks for your prompt reply that's really helpful.
I'm working via the DropBox App installed on my Mac / Working on and saving file directly on my Mac.

When ready to share the file with team members or clients, I would generate a link (via right-click menu etc) and send that link out.

Let's take PDF's for example. Normally, I could simply update a file/make corrections to it - save and close and that file would sync.

So the next time anyone who had the link opens it again, would open or view that updated file.
What is happening however is, when a change has been made to the file and closed - the link that was originally associated with that file no longer works and points the viewer to a page saying it has been deleted.

It's totally not efficient for me to be using the browser to work like this, so Dropbox being sync'd and links not being broken is hugely important for my business.

Thanks again for your attention and best,
LSD_C

Walter

Thanks for the additional details there @LSD_C - most appreciated.

Would it be OK if we reached out via email to have a further look internally at this point?

lsdc

Absolutely. Drop my a mail.
My best,
LSD_C

Walter

Thanks for the cooperation @lsdc

I've just sent you an email so please have a look at your inbox and we'll take it from there.

BostonQual

Hi, Walter! I'm having the same issue. I save pdf files, rewriting the old versions, and Dropbox tells me the link I created originally no longer works because the "item was delete." I have Dropbox downloaded to all of my computers and save/rewrite all of my files using the installed Dropbox app.

Walter

Hey @BostonQual - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Could you clarify how exactly you're editing your files in the first place?

Are you updating the files your shared links point to through the website directly or on your computer using the desktop app to sync your changes in the original files?

Frida_TCG

Hi Walter,

I am also experiencing the same issue and I am wondering if there was a solution found in these previous inquiries and if it could be shared.

Many thanks!

Nancy

Sorry to jump in, @Frida_TCG. Can you provide more info on what’s happening in your case exactly? Are you also having trouble when overwriting InDesign files?

Is this only happening with specific files, or with all Dropbox files you’ve created shared links for?

tmccoy09

This is also happening to me and I've been scouring these threads for answers. I work on a Mac and primarily share files created with Adobe programs like Illustrator and Photoshop. My primary reason for using dropbox is that I can email or share a dropbox link, and then can edit the file and save within illustrator or photoshop and the link remains the same for the end user. I constantly use keyboard shortcuts within my software to save while editing, so exporting the file and then uploading to dropbox online is simply not an acceptable solution. I've tried the work-around of exporting and dragging the file with the same name into the folder, but that doesn't work either. Even if it did, it's far too cumbersome to be helpful.

Here's a step by step example of how it happened today...

I was chatting with my boss and dropped a link for him to view a file "Beast Apparel.pdf"
After putting the link in the chat, I clicked on it to make sure it was live and review. The link worked fine, but I noticed a small error. I still had the file open in adobe, so I very quickly made the edit and used the shortcut to save the file.
Minutes later my boss says "dropbox says your file was deleted"
I copy the dropbox link again and sure enough, it's different

This is a HUGE issue for me. I have hundreds of shared file links across google spreadsheets, Asana (used for project management), in emails, etc, etc, etc...if all of these links break every time I edit and save, I will have to find an alternate solution to dropbox.

Has any solution been found?

Rich

@tmccoy09 wrote:
...I still had the file open in adobe, so I very quickly made the edit and used the shortcut to save the file. ... "dropbox says your file was deleted"

The problem you're having is that Dropbox will delete the link to a file if the file is deleted. From your perspective the file isn't being deleted, but it probably is; you just don't see it. Whether or not that's happening depends on how the application is saving the file.

When saving over an existing file, many applications will first delete the original file and then save the updated file with the same name. Many Adobe products are known to work this way.

If Dropbox is fast enough to see that the original file is deleted, that deletion is synced to your account and the file and link are deleted. Adobe then saves the new file in its place and Dropbox syncs that as though it's a new file.

Try this. Exit the Dropbox application or pause syncing, then make a change to an existing file that has a link established for it and save the file. After the save is done, launch Dropbox or resume syncing. Give it a moment to detect the changes and sync the file, then test the link.

tmccoy09

So I knew the deleting files thing was happening...interestingly enough, I did some more testing and it seems NOT to occur when saving .ai files, but does when I save as a .pdf . I primarily use .pdf because it doesn't change the editing experience for me, and is accepted across a wider range of applications. Plus the .ai scares off my co-workers even when it's pdf compatible...

I tested out the "do not sync" button in my right click file dropdown, then saved my pdf file while using illustrator as normal. Interestingly, the file re-syncs right after saving, but the share link STAYS THE SAME. So you're right, it's definitely the speed of the dropbox sync that detects the deleted file...

I can try to remember to always unsync when saving my files...this is better than the online upload alternative, but still pretty annoying. Any idea why this was not happening for years and years and suddenly became an issue? Also I wonder if dropbox could somehow program a short delay in syncing, or delay the deletion of links when a file is deleted to see if one with the exact same path and name pops back up in a millisecond. That's above my pay grade, but I'd love a solution that doesn't rely on my remembering to unsync or whatever before every file edit / save.

tmccoy09

Aaaaaand now after messing with this for literally hours today, I am no longer able to replicate the issue. I think my "fix" had something to do with messing with my file finder settings of "show all file extensions". My only guess is somehow the extension was getting written into the name and causing a delete > new file issue? No idea, but no matter how hard I try, I now can't break the links simply by saving alone.

winggee

Hi! I'm currently having this same issue.

Let's take PDF's for example. Normally, I could simply update a file/make corrections to it - save and close and that file would sync.

Walter

Hey there @winggee - sorry to hear about this.

Can you please clarify how exactly you're editing the files your shared links point to? For example, are you using the desktop app to sync your changes or maybe the website to do it directly?

Any additional information is more than welcome!

winggee

Hi Walter. I’m creating files in illustrator but saving them as pdfs. The pdf link is shared with my customer, and as I save the pdfs, my customer usually can get the edit right away. However the last few days he’s been saying that the link says that the file has been deleted. Original link is sent using the upgraded Mac app.

Rich

@winggee wrote:
However the last few days he’s been saying that the link says that the file has been deleted.

See my reply above. Try pausing Dropbox before saving, and resuming it after, and I bet the link remains.

tmccoy09

Yeah I'm back to having this same issue, as well. It was fixed for maybe a day on my end. I'm no longer using dropbox links to share any of my files unless I keep them in a separate, dedicated folder that I know not to edit or re-save, and can also no longer use the old links that have been shared for the past 5+ years in my company-wide Asana project management system as reference. Many are useless now, so I'm just uploading files directly. After about a decade as a happy dropbox user, I will likely end my subscription if this doesn't resolve soon. It's the only feature I need.