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swhiteh3's avatar
swhiteh3
Explorer | Level 3
6 years ago

Files in Dropbox showing up as "Copy of xxxx.xxx" in my recent items lists

I use the "recent items" lists quite often.  For instance, I right-click on the MS Excel icon down in the system tray, and it brings up the most recent items I've opened in Excel.  I can open the fil...
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swhiteh3's avatar
swhiteh3
Explorer | Level 3

So I picked a rather easy and recent file, for simplicity lets call it "Checklist.xls".  This file was moved to DB by me this morning (on another computer), and then on my primary computer, I opened it and edited it.

When I go to Dropbox.com, and search for it, I only see one copy.  There is no file called "Copy of Checklist.xls", or anything like that.

Looking at the version list shows two versions - both called "Checklist.xls" - the original I copied over, and the new version I edited.

Now that I've closed the file, let's say I wanted to reopen it - I right click on my EXCEL logo in the system tray shows the following two items right at the top:

CHECKLIST

COPY OF CHECKLIST

Where is this "Copy of..." version coming from?

Jane's avatar
Jane
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
6 years ago
I appreciate that you took the time to clarify matters for me swhiteh3; I’d happily continue our conversation from where we’ve left off! If you don’t mind, I’ll also use your “Checklist.xls” example file to retain continuity. 
 
Now, as you’ve mentioned that you’ve edited your “Checklist.xls” file twice & it’s synced to your Dropbox account online as expected, I wouldn’t suspect Dropbox as a potential culprit for the discrepancy. Could you please try quitting the Dropbox application by clicking the Dropbox icon in your system tray ➡️ & then on the :gear: icon in the Notifications panel & select "Quit Dropbox"? 
 
From there, it seems that we'd have to shift our focus away from Dropbox. What’s happening if you work on this file outside the Dropbox folder? Are you getting the same results? If so, then it’s highly likely that the copies are created within Excel, so you should investigate whether there’s a missing update there &c. 
 
I hope that this leads you towards the right direction & I’m always here in case you have any follow-up questions. Thanks & enjoy the rest of your day! 
  • swhiteh3's avatar
    swhiteh3
    Explorer | Level 3
    6 years ago

    The reason I think Dropbox is involved in this issue is that all my Excel files that are located locally on this computer - NONE of them exhibit this behavior.  I just created a new Excel file, TEST.xls, on my desktop, opened, edited, and closed it several times, and I do not get a "COPY OF" version in my RECENT ITEMS list.

    • swhiteh3's avatar
      swhiteh3
      Explorer | Level 3
      6 years ago

      image

      • Jane's avatar
        Jane
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        6 years ago
        Thanks for taking the time to try my suggestions & getting back in touch with this screenshot (swhiteh3)! Following your last comment, I’m wondering whether a missing update within Excel has been causing you this issue. Are you facing that on this particular device only or across devices incidentally? 
         
        If you try to access the copies, they should be stored locally on your device (i.e. I’m assuming that, as we’ve established that these aren’t saved to Dropbox). Can you check if they’re stored in the same location? If so, you can cross-check the timestamps & see if you recognize a pattern there (eg. are the copies saved at the same time as the original file)? 
         
        Please keep me updated here on your findings & we’ll take it from there! 

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