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anndinkc's avatar
anndinkc
Explorer | Level 4
11 months ago

No longer able to open .txt files in Dropbox editor on Android phone app, asked to convert to Google

Starting this week, I am unable to open my .txt files with the Dropbox Editor on the Dropbox Android phone app. I am now being presented with the following message:

Upload to View
This file type can only be viewed if it is first uploaded and converted into a Google Docs file. Do you want to continue?

I do not want to use Google Docs for my .txt files. I have tried that provided option, but you then must tie the document to a Google account, and it does annoying auto-formatting and such which I am purposely trying to avoid by using .txt files in the first place.

Is Dropbox editor being deprecated? Is there any way to use another text editor on my device instead of converting to a Google Doc and tying back to a Google account? I am unable to even try to open this document using another editor now, you get the same 'Upload to View' message when clicking the kabab menu too

Android
Edit
Error Messages
Mobile
  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    11 months ago

    Thanks for giving that a go! Good thinking. 

     

    What I want you to try next is to clear the cache of your Dropbox app (via its settings), and also reinstall it on your device. 

     

    Are you seeing the same error after that?

  • tomasstj's avatar
    tomasstj
    New member | Level 2
    10 months ago

    I'm having the same problem. Been using Dropbox for 15 years. And now, in January 2024, when trying to open a txt file I get a message saying that the file has to be uploaded to Google drive and converted before I can view it! So irritating!

    • Hannah's avatar
      Hannah
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      10 months ago

      Thanks for the screenshot, tomasstj.

       

      I moved your post to a thread that is dealing with the same issue, as the one you initially posted in, is about a different one.

       

      Can you take a look at the info and troubleshooting steps here and let me know if they help?

    • Hannah's avatar
      Hannah
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      10 months ago

      Hey tomasstj, would you mind sending us a screenshot of this message, so we can have a visual?

  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    11 months ago

    Thanks for bringing this to our attention, anndinkc. 

     

    Can you send over a full screenshot of the error you’re getting? 

     

    Also, what’s the OS version of your device, and the app version of the Dropbox app on it?

     

    Let me know, and we’ll take a closer look.

    • anndinkc's avatar
      anndinkc
      Explorer | Level 4
      11 months ago

      Nancy Thanks for the quick response Nancy. What is the best way to send over a screenshot? I am not seeing a way to add it to my original post or here in a comment

      OS version: Android version 14
      Dropbox app version: 358.2.4

      Exact message text:

      Upload to View

      This file type can only be viewed if it is first uploaded and converted into a Google Docs file. Do you want to continue?

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