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Question

Issue with PDF file not opening after being copied to new DropBox folder via Zapier

  • 15 December 2023
  • 7 replies
  • 44 views
O

I have created a Zap so that, every time a new estate planning case is created in Clio, Zapier creates a folder in DropBox for that case. So, if estate planning case “00001-Doe-John” is created in Clio, then folder “Shared Docs/01 Open/00001-Doe-John” is created in DropBox. Further, a custom “DropBox” field in Clio is then changed to link to the DropBox folder.

I have tried to add steps so that, every time a new folder is created in DropBox as described above, the DropBox file “Shared Docs/_Templates/Advance Directive.pdf” is uploaded to the new DropBox case folder. However, the problem I am running into is that this newly copied “Advance Directive.pdf” document cannot be opened. Prior to being copied, the file works fine. I am new to Zapier so I must be missing something basic as to why the PDF file is not working after being copied. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

This post has been closed for comments. Please create a new post if you need help or have a question about this topic.

7 replies

Troy Tessalone
Userlevel 7
Badge +14

Hi @Oregon_Lawyer 

Help us have context by posting screenshots with how your Zap steps are configured in EDIT mode.

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Premier Certified Zapier Expert | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
O

Thanks for your quick reply. Here is the overall zap:
https://capture.dropbox.com/QlSXzFz7XPU8ZSQM

Here is the step I have used to find the file in the _Templates folder:
https://capture.dropbox.com/5iXP8P9EUJlmfpOf

And here is the last step to upload the file into the new folder:

https://capture.dropbox.com/nmYUWt3s3FFSpYqr

If you need these posted as screenshots rather than Capture links, let me know and I will re-post, thanks.

Troy Tessalone
Userlevel 7
Badge +14

@Oregon_Lawyer 

Unable to access these 2 links:

 

Here is the step I have used to find the file in the _Templates folder:
https://capture.dropbox.com/5iXP8P9EUJlmfpOf

And here is the last step to upload the file into the new folder:

https://capture.dropbox.com/nmYUWt3s3FFSpYqr

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Premier Certified Zapier Expert | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
O

Sorry, I am also hitting a learning curve with Dropbox Capture. All three links I previously posted should be viewable now. Here are the two you had been unable to open:
https://capture.dropbox.com/5iXP8P9EUJlmfpOf
https://capture.dropbox.com/nmYUWt3s3FFSpYqr

Troy Tessalone
Userlevel 7
Badge +14

@Oregon_Lawyer 

For the Folder field, remove the leading static forward slash / as it’s already part of the mapped Path variable value.

 

For the File field, that expects a file object or a file url.

You have a File Path mapped, which is neither.

Help: https://zapier.com/help/create/basics/send-files-in-zaps

 

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Premier Certified Zapier Expert | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
Badger
Userlevel 1
Badge

Just to add to what has been said. I had a similar problem with PDF. I solved my problem by removing the space in the file name. Never actually got to the bottom of why, but once the space was replaced with an underscore everything worked.

O

Thank you, that does help me understand what the problem is. It appears that there is not an easy fix for turning the PDF file path into a PDF file object, but I will keep working on that. 

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