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Forum Discussion
mike160304
7 years agoCollaborator | Level 9
Cannot edit some text files in Dropbox on iPhone?
In the Dropbox app on iPhone SE, I can open all my text files, but in some of them I do not get the Edit icon (looks like a cursor) at bottom left, so cannot edit them.
In others, I get the Edi...
- 7 years ago
K-C-L (and others following)
Thanks! You're onto the right cause, and solution ...well, workaround.
Dropbox App editor won't handle either certain characters (extended) or Windows Notepad default ANSI files. A pretty obvious shortcoming. These get rendered in a non-editable file - which looks like monospaced courier, but doesn't make a space for each <spacebar>. Go figure.
Anyway, the workarounds are:
- Convert all your Notepad ANSI files to UTF-8 (open file in Notepad, Save As..., dropdown box -> choose UTF-8 and Save. (Save all new files as UTF-8). This is what I am doing.
- Open the file in Dropbox App. Select a word, then Select All. Copy. Create new file (Text). Paste into the window, name, and Create. Kinda klugy.
Those both work - I've tested.
- There is a way to change Notepad default to UTF-8, which would prevent this from re-occurring, but you have to touch the Registry (I don't want to do that)
- Download Notepad++ which apparently can set a default without touching the Registry (cannot verify). Reportedly Notepad++ takes less resources too (don't know about that either)
OK, a PITA. But do-able. I guess.
But, the real problem is Dropbox App cannot show text files (.txt) in monospaced font (e.g. Menlo or Courier). This is basically a disqualifier for Dropbox for musicians who use text files to create Tab, or Notation files, or chord charts. That's a lot of people left out in the cold. Since they all share files, so Dropbox could / should own this market, but have shut themselves out.
mike160304
7 years agoCollaborator | Level 9
I started all this so i am popping back in.
The Dropbox Team have not yet told us why we can edit some .txt files but not others.
Moving on, I guess that I can no longer edit .txt files on Dropbox anyway, because I have removed the Dropbox folder from my PC and I have removed the Dropbox app from my iPhone. Nowadays I just go into the Dropbox website with a password and take care to sign out when I leave. So I cannot edit .txt files on Dropbox, is that right, please?
What is "Paper", and is it in any way helpful to my situation?
Mike
- Sanchez7 years agoDropbox StaffHey mike160304,If you have a ticket number, let me know, and I’ll be happy to check in on it.And you’re right about not being able to edit text files on our website.Now, about Paper…It’s a collaborative document editing service that we provide for free, with your Dropbox account. There are many cool features in Paper, but my favorite is real-time collaborating with others! Have a look here for more info, and let me know if you have any questions.Cheers!
- mike1603047 years agoCollaborator | Level 9
Dropboxer - I started this thread, but Cardinal2B has already opened several Tickets about this same problem, so I am hoping to see the final reply of the Dropbox team here anyway.
If I open a Ticket it would only be duplicating Cardinal2B's complaints.
As already described, I am now using Dropbox via the website only, so , as you say, I cannot edit .txt files on Dropbox.
"Paper" will not edit .txt files, if I am understanding you correctly?
Mike
- Sanchez7 years agoDropbox Staff
That’s right, mike160304, paper can not do that. As for the progress on Cardinal2B’s ticket, I’ll keep an eye out, and maybe he’ll share the results here too, when he gets them :wink:
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