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How can I stop conflicted copies?

We currently use Office documents, and when 2 users use the same file, the first user who saves the document saves the original file, and the second person who saves saves a conflicting copy. This is causing a lot of problems in our company and I would like this option to be set by the administrator. we would like if someone else accesses an open file it would show as "Read only"

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Mark

Hi @henrissousa

You can already do this via the Dropbox Badge: https://help.dropbox.com/files-folders/share/badge-overview

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Mark

Hi @henrissousa

You can already do this via the Dropbox Badge: https://help.dropbox.com/files-folders/share/badge-overview

Jay

Hi @henrissousa, in addition to what @Mark suggested, you can also lock files, preventing other users from editing them.

Once you've finished editing the file, you can unlock it.

If you need any further assistance, please let me know!

EC1985

For the past few weeks, I've had a problem where my work computer is spontaneously saving literally thousands of identical "conflicted copy" files to my Dropbox. This is happening with Word and Powerpoint documents even after the computer has been restarted and neither program is open. Watching the Dropbox folder, I can watch new conflicted copies being actively saved to my Dropbox although the files are not open on my computer or anywhere else. I've tried to move the unaffected files to new folders and to delete the problematic folder/files without success. Help!!!

Megan

Hi @EC1985, welcome to our Community!

I've merged you under this thread, where the OP posted a similar question to yours. Want to have a look as to what has already been suggested before, and let me know if you have any questions?

If I were you, I'd also take a look into this Help Center article.

I'll be waiting for your response and update.

EC1985

My question is different—the replies here do not answer my question

Rich

@EC1985 wrote:
Watching the Dropbox folder, I can watch new conflicted copies being actively saved to my Dropbox although the files are not open on my computer or anywhere else.

View the version history of one of the files and see where it's being generated.

https://help.dropbox.com/files-folders/restore-delete/version-history-overview

lmerz

I have been trying to figure out why I have a conflicted copy on my excel:

A conflicted copy is a file that Dropbox creates when multiple people edit the same file at the same time.

There are three ways a conflicted copy can happen:

Two users change the same file at the same time
Someone edits a file offline while someone else edits the same file
A file is left open on another user’s computer, which Dropbox saves as a new edit—this is especially common when using applications with an auto-save feature

Note: The last version saved will always appear as the conflicted copy.

Someone from another location opened my excel when I was editing from my desktop version of dropbox. That person did not "save" but it shows it was edited. I don't know if the issue was created from the first or second suggestion but I have restored my version to a previous version several days ago before the day the "issue" started when the dropbox badge showed up. It did not create a conflicted copy last night but it still shows the dropbox badge. Does this mean there is still an issue? I don't remember seeing the badge usually and another user in my office does not have a badge on hers. I have learned through this that it looks like I have a desktop version and she is using the web version. I did not set up dropbox so I am at a disadvantage. Can anyone give me any advice on what to do or I have corrected the issue by restoring an older version and maybe for some reason the badge is just going to show up now? This situation is so frustrating!

Rich

@lmerz wrote:
It did not create a conflicted copy last night but it still shows the dropbox badge. Does this mean there is still an issue?

The badge doesn't indicate an issue and it isn't related to conflicted copies. When enabled, the badge appears on any Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Excel file saved in your Dropbox. If you don't want the badge to appear, you can disable it in Dropbox Preferences.

https://help.dropbox.com/installs/badge-overview

Megan

Hey @lmerz, I hope you're doing well!

Feel free to also have a look into this thread. I believe it'll help. If you have any questions, I am here.

I hope that clarifies.

LJTSIRK

Is it possible or how can one have multiple users working on the same file at the same time on a shared file without getting conflicted copy files.

Hannah

Hey @LJTSIRK, thanks for posting to our Community!

I moved your post to this relevant thread with more info about conflicted copies for you to check out.

And you can also take a look at this article that has info on how to avoid them.

I hope this helps!

Matt D Ambrosia

Is there a way to automatically lock a file when opening and unlock when closing, so the process s simple and does not require additional steps? Otherwise employees always have to remember to lock and unlock. Needs to be automated to work properly.

Rich

@Matt D Ambrosia wrote:
Is there a way to automatically lock a file when opening and unlock when closing ...

No, there isn't.