How to use flexible file names on Dropbox

Flexible file names allows users on the Dropbox desktop app for Windows to successfully sync files and folders with names that contain special characters. Previously, these files and folders would be visible on dropbox.com but wouldn’t appear in the File Explorer despite the Dropbox desktop app being fully synced.
 

Now special characters are replaced by “_“ (Unicode character U+005F) when syncing to Windows devices. This change happens to file and folder names if the name ends with a period or contains the following characters:

• <
• >
• :
• ”
• |
• \
• ?
• *

For example, if you have a file named “test:april.txt”, that file will sync to File Explorer as “test_april.txt”. Additionally, if you have a folder named “Important stuff.” it’ll be converted to “Important stuff_”.

How to turn flexible file names on or off

You‘ll see a notification when you’re syncing files that contain special characters. Click Opt-out or Opt-in on this prompt to go directly to Preferences.

To turn this feature on or off at any time:

1. Click the Dropbox icon in your taskbar. 
   • Learn what to do if you don’t see the Dropbox icon.
2. Click your avatar (profile picture or initials) in the top-right corner.
3. Click Preferences.
4. Click Sync in the left sidebar.
5. Toggle Flexible file names to On or Off.

How to enable or disable flexible file names on the admin console

As an admin, you can decide if your team is allowed to use the flexible file names feature. To manage flexible file names:

1. Log in to dropbox.com using your admin credentials.
2. Click Admin console in the left sidebar.
3. Under Products, click the dropdown to the left of Dropbox.
4. Click ☑ Settings under the Dropbox dropdown.
5. Click Sync.
6. Under Flexible file names, click the dropdown arrow and select:
   • Off: Flexible file names is disabled for your team. Team members aren’t allowed to use flexible file names.
   • Optional: Flexible file names is enabled for your team, but team members can decide to disable it.
   • Required: Flexible file names is enabled for your team, and team members cannot disable it.