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So I think I've found a workaround that doesn't require a third party program. I simply can't reply to the original thread because it's closed, but I think my two cents may help some people since I'm having this problem on Windows 10 nearly seven years later.
It seems that, because I'm trying to rename something on dropbox, that there's a lag between me choosing to rename the file and dropbox recognizing that I'm trying to rename a file. At first, I would wait a few seconds, hit "Home" or the left arrow key, and then work on renaming the file hoping it doesn't happen again, which sometimes it does.
It seems though, that if I hit backspace (when the filename is still initially selected), ctrl+z (to undo deleting the file name), and then home (to get back to the beginning of the file name), I can use the arrow keys to move to the portion I need to rename unmolested, almost like it forces dropbox to recognize that a file is being renamed.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Unproductive and a waste of time is right. You can't go quickly renaming files, let alone set up a macro unless you want to destroy an entire SET of files!
A helpful post on the previous page suggested it was a conflict between the cloud sync to OneDrive and the local file name. If that's the case, doing it all on the cloud side should not have the issue.
Certainly frustrating that the end users here have to find workarounds.
Yeah I hear you. I also hit the left or right key a couple of times if I remember... Sometimes I am just in a working zone mode and muscle memory kicks in and I don't do it. Then I had times when it even still happens, even if I hit the left or right key a couple of times, especially when I am working fast. Its a pity that we have to remember the work arounds or pay the price to a problem that they should just simply solve. Got to learn to just live with it I guess.
I've come to develop the new habit of renaming the file when it's open in Microsoft 365. Also, hitting the left key on the keyboard a few times makes it understand I don't want to "select all" for the filename and usually I can get it to let me rename the file. Gotta have quick reflexes to wrangle this one!
Cant believe its October 2022, using Microsoft 365 and Microsoft still has not fixed this annoying issue. I guess someone will type a similar post in 2030 still pointing out that the issue is still not fixed. Happens on my work 365 account and PC as well as my private 365 account and PC. I have to re-name files and folders regularly and sometimes lose the entire name of the file where I just want to change a version number, date etc... Its very unproductive, causing me to go back and try to find a name of an original file somewhere. I know there are shortcuts and tricks to get the name back but not everyone knows that, I had to spend time researching ways to overcome the unproductive nature of this issue: "control+z" to undo when the text gets lost due to the issue. That's time I could have spent researching something for my company! Come on Microsoft, fix this annoying and unproductive issue!!!
Still happening, and extremely annoying.
