Forum Discussion

vicw's avatar
vicw
Explorer | Level 4
4 months ago
Solved

Can I get the actual creation date of the file, and not just the upload date?

I am not understanding how I can find out details on when a file was created. For example I have uploaded 714 PDF files today to a Folder PDF_11_10. When I look at the folder ALL the files show a modified date of today.

Is there a way to get the actual creation date of each file and NOT just upload date. I have followed the instructions for 'file info' on Metadata but no luck.

I would appreciate any solutions. Running on WIN11 with Dropbox PRO.

Thanks, 

 

Vic 


  • vicw wrote:

    Is there a way to get the actual creation date of each file and NOT just upload date.


    It depends on how the files were uploaded. If you uploaded the files to Dropbox.com through a web browser, then the creation and modified dates are the date you uploaded them. In order words, uploads through a browser do not retain the original dates.

     

    If you need to retain the creation and modified dates on a file, you need to use the Dropbox application on a computer and allow the files to sync from your local Dropbox folder.

  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

    vicw wrote:

    Is there a way to get the actual creation date of each file and NOT just upload date.


    It depends on how the files were uploaded. If you uploaded the files to Dropbox.com through a web browser, then the creation and modified dates are the date you uploaded them. In order words, uploads through a browser do not retain the original dates.

     

    If you need to retain the creation and modified dates on a file, you need to use the Dropbox application on a computer and allow the files to sync from your local Dropbox folder.

    • vicw's avatar
      vicw
      Explorer | Level 4

      Thanks for that. Yes I was using web to Dropbox upload. 

  • Valdecab's avatar
    Valdecab
    New member | Level 1

    That's a huge problem. 
    I don't want to loose the creation date of the file. 

    I pay dropbox to avoid having too many files on my computer using his memory. 
    If I have to sync from my local Dropbox folder, than Dropbox is useless

    • Rich's avatar
      Rich
      Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
      Valdecab wrote:

      If I have to sync from my local Dropbox folder, than Dropbox is useless

      That's the intended purpose of Dropbox. Yes, it has some features that allow you to store all of your data in the cloud only, but it's purpose is for syncing files between your computer and your account online, and to other devices linked to your account.

      First and foremost Dropbox is a file sync application.

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