Problem with InDesign Files in Dropbox Reverting to Earlier Versions

[Sharpenson]

I have had this problem a few times recently and I'm not sure when the problem started.

The scenario is that I am working in InDesign and my files are all within my Dropbox folder. What happens is: I work on an InDesign file and save it. Make some changes, save it etc etc. Send a PDF to the client and wait. Maybe a couple of hours later I come back to the file and when I open it in InDesign it is not the latest saved version. I know I saved it so I'm pulling my hair out! Now I've found that if I go to "document history" in Dropbox my last version will be there, with my name and 'desktop' written underneath. However, it will have been overwritten by my name but with "API app" written underneath it.

I am currently in discussion with Dropbox who are suggesting that it could be due to a lack of support for InDesign documents (they get a UFO symbol instead of an icon). But this is seriously upsetting my working to the point that I think I may have to move all my files out of Dropbox.

Has nobody else experienced this problem?

My only thought as to maybe when it occurs is if I 'option-drag' copy a document in a folder to start from, but I'm not sure about that yet - it's just an idea...

[Sharpenson]

Here is a screenshot showing how my file was created and saved and then overwritten by "API app" about 25 mins later with the first version of the file:

[Laubender]

Hi Sharpenson,

never experienced this with Dropbox and I use Dropbox a lot for working with InDesign.

Possible, that you enabled the SmartSync feature of Dropbox. I never did.

Smart Sync could be the cause of your issues.

What's your version of InDesign and operating system?
Do you have Dropbox Smart Sync enabled?

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Sharpenson]

Hello. I've not enabled Smart Sync.

InDesign 16.0 currently and Big Sur. This has happened before these latest updates, by the way.

[BobLevine]

Smart sync should be turned OFF!

[Sharpenson]

It is off. I said - I've not enabled it.

[BobLevine]

Sorry, read it too quickly.

So, you just have the standard Dropbox desktop app installed and Dropbox folder set up?

This is very odd. Do you also have a Onedrive account? If so, try working in that so we can try to find out where this issue is.

[Laubender]

Hm. Ok. I'm on Windows 10 so there is no direct comparison.

Hopefully someone with OS X Big Sur comes along and could help…

In the meanwhile I would report the issue at a Dropbox forum.

And perhaps also at InDesign UserVoice/bugs:

https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601180-adobe-indesign-bugs

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Sharpenson]

Yesterday I option-drag copied an InDesign file and labelled it TEST. Today I looked and everything seemed normal so I deleted it. Within the hour Dropbox "API app" had put the file back in the folder again!

[Suzonie]

Dropbox is putting me out of this. All my files including the critical ones I uploaded to dropbox to ensure I didn't lose them and it automatically transferred them all to PDF files now I can't edit or change. I lost a client today because of it hundreds of clients that I'm gonna be losing because of the same problem. When I reached out to Support, they told me it was an Adobe product issue which I said that's not possible, but they assured me that it was. I spare another two hours on the phone with adobe to reassure me. It wasn't them. it was dropbox. What the heck?

[BobLevine]

This discussion is four years old so whatever happened before and what happened to you are not likely to be connected at all. I'm going to lock this one to avoid any confusion.

If you want to start a new one with full details and screenshots you'll probably get more help then posting here.