External files: how does that work?

[upwart]

I am trying to figure out how to better use DropBox in my workflow and found the new External files option. When I download a file from a DropBox folder, it will be shown under the External file selection. I can then open it. But can also move it somewhere. And how to delete it at all?
I hope someone can help me with this.

[zrzka]

I highly recommend to read Ticci's:

• iOS 11: The MacStories Review - Files
• And then Google for Open in Place to learn more.

Open in Place

To make it short, this allows you to open file from Dropbox in Pythonista for example. It also means that file is not copied to the Pythonista, but Pythonista is allowed to read / save from / to this file directly in the Dropbox location. That's the reason for in Place. By opening this file you're giving Pythonista access to modify this file, even delete it.

External Files

External files utilises Open in Place feature. What you see in this section is a bookmark. When you tap on it, bookmark is resolved to the real location and Pythonista opens this file. If you swipe on a file in external files section, you'll see that the destructive button title says Remove. And when you tap on it, just this bookmark is removed from Pythonista, not the original file (Dropbox location). It just stays there. Want to trash this file for real? Open Dropbox and trash it there.

However, there's one exception, slightly different behaviour.

EXTERNAL FILES - Top level item

• Launch Pythonista
• Reveal file browser
• Tap on Open... in EXTERNAL FILES
• Open any file
• This file appears in EXTERNAL FILES
• Swipe left and Remove button appears
• This Remove button removes bookmark, not the file from Dropbox

Same behaviour applies to folder - if you swipe left on it and it's a top level item.

EXTERNAL FILES - Nested item

• Launch Pythonista
• Reveal file browser
• Tap on Open... in EXTERNAL FILES
• Open any folder
• This folder appears in EXTERNAL FILES
• Tap on this folder in Pythonista to see the listing of files / folders under it
• Swipe left on folder / file and Trash button appears
• This Trash button trashes the file / folder for real, even in the Dropbox location

To sum it up, there's difference between:

• Top level item - swipe left - Remove - trashes bookmark only, original file untouched
• Nested item - swipe left - Trash - trashed original file / folder for real

However there're still issues and Dropbox is not the perfect example, because of #509. And some others. It needs some time to let the things settle down.