U-M Dropbox Updates

As a final reminder, Dropbox is making several changes to their file system, including how files/folders are structured.

Beginning June 11, 2024, Dropbox will make several changes:

• Everyone will have a new personal folder denoted by their name (e.g., “Nancy Emcard”). The files/folders you own and files/folders shared with you are now stored in this folder. (This does not include Team Folders.)
• When you share a subfolder in a Team Folder with someone who doesn’t have access to the Team Folder, the entire folder path to the subfolder you’ve shared will be visible to them.
  • This change will apply to all existing/previously shared subfolders, as well as any new subfolders you share moving forward.
  • Any other files or subfolders outside the folder path a collaborator is not explicitly shared on will remain hidden from their view. (This includes any content in the folder path.)
  • The newly revealed folder paths should not be visible to external collaborators outside of the U-M Dropbox domain. They will only be visible to collaborators who have accounts within U-M Dropbox.
  • We strongly recommend reviewing your Team Folder’s subfolder structures and sharing access before June 11 and updating as needed. This will ensure that confidential or sensitive subfolder names are not revealed to collaborators shared at that level.
• If you were previously shared on a subfolder within a Team Folder you don't have access to, the name of that subfolder may change.
  • Before June 11, your subfolder name would not update to reflect any changes to the name made by members of the Team Folder. (It would remain the same name as when it was first shared with you.)
  • After June 11, when a member of the Team Folder changes the subfolder's name, it will also change the name for you.
• When using the Dropbox desktop app, the name will change from “Dropbox (University of Michigan)” to “University of Michigan Dropbox” in your file directory.

On June 11, you may encounter a sync error in the Dropbox desktop app if:

• You leave apps using files stored in Dropbox open on your desktop after midnight. Close all files and apps to allow Dropbox to resync.
• You’re running an outdated version of the Dropbox desktop app. Ensure your app is updated to version 192 or later.

Refer to the ITS Knowledge Base for a detailed overview of every change to U-M Dropbox occurring on June 11. (There are additional details for each of the items listed above that are important to review.)

Dropbox has informed the university that they are changing the way Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are created, accessed, and stored in U-M Dropbox. Since Dropbox became available at the university, you have been able to create and edit Google files within Dropbox using the Google Drive integration, but that will soon be going away.

What to Expect

There are two dates to be aware of with regard to the retirement of the Google Drive integration: January 12 and January 22, 2024.

According to Dropbox, today, January 12, 2024, they will:

• Remove the ability to create Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides in Dropbox.
• Remove the ability to use the Google editor to open/edit non-Google files in Dropbox.

On January 22, 2024, they will convert all existing Google files (.gdoc, .gsheet, .gslides) to their equivalent Microsoft file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).

Important things to note:

• There is no way to opt out of this change.
• You should receive no emails, banners, or reminders from Dropbox about this change.
• All existing sharing settings will remain the same after the conversion.
• You will be unable to transfer your Google files and retain their original file type (.gdoc, .gsheet, .gslides) from U-M Dropbox to your U-M Google account.
  • You would need to download the converted file(s) from Dropbox, upload it to your Google account, and open it with its equivalent Google file editor (Docs, Sheets, Slides) in Drive.

If desired, you can search for and review your Google files before the conversion:

1. Log in to U-M Dropbox.
2. Click the search bar at the top of the page.
3. Enter the following search query:
   1. type:gdoc, type:gsheet, type:gslides