I can't rename a file I duplicated on Mac OS

I have the same issue A LOT and it seems to be getting more frequent. You can not only not rename the file but you can't move it (you get the circle with slash through it) - even if you're trying to move it into another folder within the same folder. If you open the file and save as there is no problem (but what a hassle and slow if it's a photoshop file and the app is not open). The problem persists for days so it's not a "waiting for sync to finish" issue. Quitting dropbox doesn't help. Rebooting the Mac seems to fix it. Never used to have this in the old Dropbox setting... Can you please tell me how I can fix this really annoying issue. Mac 14.6.1 - Dropbox 209.4.3661

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Hannah wrote:

Sorry to hear about this, karenap.

 

If you simply quit the Dropbox app (without relaunching it), does the issue persist?

 

Also, what's the sync status when hovering over the Dropbox icon in your menu bar?

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I had to reboot my Mac as it was driving me crazy – so I will be able to answer when it happens – thanks.  In the meantime – where do I find the sync status?

ok will do - thanks for your help.

Welp. Yes, I was able to reproduce it on a .pdf file, as well as the original .txt file. This is a Mac so no "desktop app" just the Finder. (I already mentioned it could be renamed on the web page.) THEN I selected "make available offline", and the problem went away, and then "make on-line only" and the problem stayed away. So now it isn't reproducible any more.

But then I went to another folder, duplicated a file, and the same problem occurred. So maybe it's solvable by giving Dropbox a swift kick, but it is still occurring for existing files.

I already posted that Dropbox was synced, and the Dropbox version.

I had also quit and restarted the Dropbox app several times. The problem persists.

In case you haven't read the whole thread and until Dropbox actually fixes this bug, the only way I've found to make it normal again is to restart the computer. Such a hassle but (fingers crossed) it's fixed it for me – sometimes for weeks, sometimes for only days but it's still better than not being able to move or rename a file - such a hassle to workflow.

>> Are you not given the option to rename it, do you get an error when doing so, or does it revert to the original name? Is this the same when dragging the file?

There is no option to rename the file (which would be below "Get Info" in the file pop-up), single-clicking on the file does not put it into filename edit mode (nothing happens at all on single-click except selection, and since there is no name change there is no reversion to the original name). When dragging the file, to a sub-folder or a different folder, you get the gray "no" circle so it doesn't go anywhere. It felt to me like a volume mount/control issue, but that's hard to explain without being able to dig deeper into Dropbox.

I have updated to macOS Sequoia 15.0.1 and the problem hasn't reappeared, including doing the same process on the same files where I experienced it on macOS 14. 

Hannah So it's happening again.
The Dropbox sync status says "Your files are up to date."
If I quit Dropbox it still doesn't allow me to rename the duplicated file.
If I restart Dropbox it still doesn't allow me to rename the duplicated file.

You can generate that visual tag yourself: go to your home folder, and drag the Library folder around and then try to drop it onto the Library folder. The Finder shows you that icon to say, "yeah not gonna happen."

No, as I said, you don't see that when you try to rename the file because you CAN'T rename the file. File>Rename in the File menu is grayed out, there is no Rename in the contextual menu, and it won't highlight, so there is no reason for the Finder to throw the "no" tag. Try it yourself: go to your home folder, and try to rename the Library folder. You can't. That's the same behavior that Dropbox is causing on some files that, unlike the Library folder, should be rename-able. 

@Nancy the lashed circle disappears when trying to do a screenshot so I took a video [Removed as per Community Guidelines]
The video shows what happens when I duplicate an Illustrator file (using cmd+D) and then clicking on the name but it won't allow me to rename (the yellow circles are added by the video capture app). I also try hitting the RETURN key which should also allow me to rename but it doesn't. I then try to drag the file to my desktop and it gives me the slashed circle. Hope this helps.

Hi Jay – where on that page can I start an email support ticket? I just spect 10 mins going round in link circles on the dropbox website. (According to my 3T plan I get email support.)

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7w0kgb17njeqbbaqi7vqk/dropbox-support-options.jpg?rlkey=1u2yafae4d6won89d2j2f6ig0&st=tvg17y7x&dl=0