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Forum Discussion
Dropbox on Android suddenly unable to open Text / .MD file
I ve a shared folder on my android 11 (kernel 4.4.177) in there ive a text file FILE.txt , which i renamed File.MD (markdown) so i can share with my usual note editor on MAC. it has been working perf...
A large part of my usage of Dropbox for Android involves editing my files, both text and HTML. After this latest (320.2.10), already problematic update (my recents and starred items don't display in modified order anymore and there's no option to sort, I reported it but I guess I just have to live with it), I only just now noticed I can no longer edit my HTML files through Dropbox. It used to offer the built-in text editor in the "open with" options--now all it offers are HTML viewers and browsers. I can still edit text files as of last night, but not my HTML files, which I created myself BTW (using a different HTML editor, since Dropbox has never offered the option to create HTML files on Android, but after moving them to Dropbox I USED to be able to edit there).
Is this just yet another recent change further limiting Dropbox's usefulness? I'm a longtime paid user, I'm so disappointed in these changes that just keep limiting functionality. I use Dropbox for editing my files literally every day, including HTML. If I want to do it now, I need to export them, delete them from Dropbox (because it doesn't allow me to overwrite with this method, just says the file already exists), open them in the other, clunky HTML editor, edit them there, save, then re-import them into Dropbox, and delete them from the device...so tedious.
Why remove such a useful option? ☹️ And no, I have no choice to include Dropbox Text Editor as a program to open certain files, I know because I've checked and I can't find any method to add any new apps to that "open with" list. (I once wanted to add that third-party app as an option and couldn't).
I believe this will fall on deaf ears but please, please consider at least restoring this option in a future update? Please. This removes SO much of the app's use. 😔
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hi there Rachel L. thanks for flagging this with us.
May I ask if you've confirmed that this affects all of your HTML files and could you also clarify your device's exact OS version?
A screenshot of the options you're now getting would also help!I have quite a lot of HTML files. 😕 I just checked a random assortment of old and new ones from various folders and none of them offer the option to open with Dropbox Text Editor anymore.
My device OS is Android 12, but I've edited HTML files already with this OS, it changed with the update to Dropbox. Also I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one experiencing this, I also found these threads:
Note those users mention HTML files seem to open sometimes, but I can't open them at all. They seem to be experiencing the same loss of Dropbox Text Editor as an "Open with" option regarding other file types, however.It still works for text files, that's pretty much it.
Screenshots should be included. First of trying to open an HTML file, then of trying to open a text file. HTML file offers only browsers now.
Just started my own thread on this, I can't edit HTML files in Dropbox anymore as of the most recent update, only text files. It's not a beta issue, I'm using 320.2.10. Very very disappointed.
- On Android, .txt files used to automatically open in Dropbox editor in an editing mode. Now it seems to open the file in a view-only mode and I have to click a button to get into editing mode. I'd like to have the ability back to open directly into editing mode.
- Megan
Hi bpimentel, thanks for posting here!
Your feedback regarding this has been very valuable and I will endeavor to make sure your voice is heard.
I will pass on your comments to the relevant departments so that we can further improve how Dropbox affects your everyday lifestyle.
If you need anything else, let me know!
I agree that editing and managing .txt files is a core function that makes me a paid subscriber. This month, opening small text files (512 bytes) is taking over 30 seconds. Adding "cookies" to my grocery list shouldn't take that long, nor require multiple clicks to get into an editor. I have now switch to a text editor on my smart phone (with its limitations that outweigh the time wasted by Dropbox).
