Temporary files are created for Office files only in the Dropbox folder

[Internazionale]

good morning, I need your help.

I use dropbox for job, from the account that my boss created for us, we have shared dropbox, so if I change o cancel a file, every people see that changement of cancellation.

it's been a few days that every time I edit an excel or word file, it creates a lot of temporary files and this, creates confuzione for all the other collegues and I have to cancel all of them by hand. my collegues see tha changes and the sharing is correct but it continuosly creates temporary files and I dont' understand why. I absolutely have to solve it. I'm waiting for your help.

thanks

[Christine2024]

Hi, I m using Windows OS. Recently a temp file will be created every time I save a Microsoft office file and it needs to be manually deleted.

At first I thought it was MS Office's error, so I contacted MS office 365 support. However, after running several tests, we found that temp files will be created only when: 

1. The document is created within Dropbox environment

2. The document was initially created on other directories like Desktop, Documents, etc., and then moved into Dropbox. Even if they are moved out of the Dropbox later, they will still create temp file when saved

The temp files do not have any content. According to MS support, they were created for AutoSave function, but should be invisible or automatically deleted after the documents were saved and closed.

What is possibly the reason behind? And how can I fix it so that there is no temp file seen in Dropbox?

Thanks, 

Christine

[Hannah]

Hey @Christine2024, thanks for reaching out to us.

I moved your post to a thread that has some info relevant to your query.

Can you try Walter's workaround above, to see if that helps?

[Christine2024]

Hi Hannah,

Thank you for your quick reply!

I have tried Walter's method (pausing syncing - editing / saving document - resuming syncing). The temp file will still pop up after the syncing is resumed. And since I am using Dropbox for work which requires short turnaround time, it's not easy for me to perform those steps every time I edit files.

I understand that temp files are created by MS office apps instead of Dropbox, but this issue only happens in my Dropbox. There's no temp file created after saving files on Desktop or OneDrive. 

[Hannah]

Thanks for getting back to me, Christine.

Just to check, if you simply close the Dropbox app and try to replicate the issue, does it persist?

[Christine2024]

Hi Hannah, I tried uninstalling & reinstalling Dropbox on my PC and the same issue still exist.

[Hannah]

How about when the app is closed or uninstalled? Does the issue persist then too?

[Christine2024]

After uninstallation the files will not be available on Desktop - Dropbox. Saving files on webpage won't create temp file. 

[Hannah]

Simply uninstalling or closing the Dropbox app, shouldn't remove your Dropbox folder; would you mind checking, just by closing the app and let me know the results please?

[Christine2024]

Hi Hannah, the issue still exists.

[Nancy]

@Christine2024, hope it’s OK to jump in. 

Have you also checked the version history of these files? Does it show more details on the temp files that keep being created?

Feel free to upload a screenshot of what you see.