DropBox Integration - having all the files in the same folder and renamed after Unique ID field

Hi,

I have added DropBox integration to my forms, but I can't seem to create the folder / filename structure that I would like.

I would like to use a field from the form as the FILE name prefixed by the submission date /time

I would like the PDF file to be placed in DropBox/JotForm/"myFormTitle"/

I don't want the PDF in a folder of the same name

Please can you help me set this up.

Thanks

Paul

Have you tried checking this guide on how to setup a Dropbox folder using different folders: http://www.jotform.com/help/77-Upload-to-Dropbox-with-JotForm?

If you would like to set Unique IDs on the folder, you can also do that using this guide: http://www.jotform.com/help/255-How-to-setup-folders-using-UniqueID-in-Dropbox.

If you have questions or you need more assistance on this please do let us know.

Thank you.

Hi,

I have worked through these guides and added a Unique ID to a test cloned form.

I still can't create what seems incredibly the most logical simple structure:

DropBox/JotForm/UniqueID.PDF

I am forced to have:

DropBox/JotForm/UniqueID/UniqueID.PDF

What possible use is the UniqueID folder? It is only every going to have 1 form put in it.

How can I resolve this?

Thanks

Paul

Hi Paul,

This is because each Submission will have a separate folder, and the identifier being used to create folders is the unique ID widget. By default the PDF submissions are named by their submission ID, you cannot rename it or use other fields for naming it.

If you would like to have the submission PDFs in the main JotForm folder, you can then just set the submission folder to "No Folder".

All the PDF submissions will be in one folder.

Do let us know if you need more information on this.

Thank you.

But what is the purpose of the folder in this case?

One file per folder is not very efficient and makes usage unnecessarily difficult.

Please can you ask your developers to resolve this shortcoming.

Thanks

Paul

There is a very simple explanation for this.

You can upload files with JotForm forms, such as documents or pictures or anything really.

As we can ensure that form submissions use unique file names and that there are no file overwrites by using the unique ID in their filenames, it is not as easy to ensure the same for the files your users will be uploading to your form.

So if two of your users both uploaded files with the name image.png, or invoice.pdf, and both of them were destined to the same folder, there could only happen few limited choices:

1. The new file overwrites the old file

2. The new file isn't saved because a file with that name already exists.

3. The new file is given a different filename, such that it doesn't overwrite files already present. For example, filename image (1).png or invoice (1).pdf.

The third option is technically the best, but it still changes names of submitted files, which is not optimal.

Our developers have made sure that every submission has the ability to use a Unique folder name, so that every submission and any uploaded files can be safely separated. No file renaming is required, and this ensures that you can always find the uploaded file with the same name as your users/customers have uploaded it through your form.

I hope that this explanation was helpful.

Bottom line is that you do not need to worry about this ability to use unique folder names, you can simply use Charlie's recommended solution above.

Kind regards.

Hi,

Thanks for your detailed explanation of why your customers who have forms that upload files need the folder - I get that.

However, I don't upload files and hence don't need the folder.

Please can your developers simply provide an option to have the folder or not.

To recap I would like:

DropBox/JotForm/UniqueID.PDF

I am currently forced to have:

DropBox/JotForm/UniqueID/UniqueID.PDF

Thank you

Paul

If I understand your requirement correctly, this is already possible and it is what my colleague Charlie suggested above.

Please take a look at the images below on how to configure your DropBox integration options.

Please test this solution out and let us know how it goes. If you need any help with setting it up, we will be happy to assist you.

Hi Boris,

I don't want the file name to be the submission ID. I want to use the UniqueID (prefixed with date / time).

Please help me do this.

Thanks

Paul

Hello Paul

Unfortunately I believe it is not possible at the moment to achieve what you request.  

At the moment I see 2 options with Dropbox. You can have the folder for each submission with Unique ID. Or you can have all submissions on the same folder but named with submission ID. I understand they are not perfect for your needs.

I will forward a feature request so our developers might consider a 3rd option that fits your needs.
We'll contact you if we decide on its implementation.

Let us know if we can assist you further.   

Hi

This is what I have been saying - your system does not allow me to do this.

I am sure this would be minimal development work.

Please let me know when you have made your decision.

Thank you

Paul

Hello Paul

This ticket has a low priority status. If we decide on its implementation we'll update you via this thread.

Let us know if we can assist you further.   

Just adding my vote to this (I realise it is a low priority matter at the moment) so that I can get updates from this thread.

THe massive drawback of the current method is that it makes automation using things like Zapier almost useless. E.g. I can't create an automatic download link that is emailed to the correct person (because that is reserved for files, not folders).

Look forward to the evolution of dropbox integration!

i third this capability. I don't want separate folders I want one directory with unique file names this a customer is right thing not a developer is right thing help out your customers. If I have multiple users upload to one folder I get only one PDFs that constantly replaces itself not sure that makes any sense,

Glenn

Hi,

I moved your post to a different thread so we can better assist you. You can see your thread here.

Thanks for showing your interest in this feature.