Server: Allow copying into same folder, append " (2)"

[dairaine]

I often need to make a backup before file sharing in modification mode. A possibility to copy or move files is implemented in Nextcloud, but it seems not possible to duplicate a file in the same folder because a renaming is not allowed. It would be nice to have such a mechanism allowing a duplication in one click.

[MorrisJobke]

cc @nextcloud/designers Does this make sense from an UX point of view? I would just add it to the context menu where we already have the copy and move operations.

[jancborchardt]

The problem here is that

it seems not possible to duplicate a file in the same folder

Because in the case of copying it in the same folder, you get this technical notification:

Could not copy "filename.txt", target exists

Instead, copying should simply work, and append a " (2)" to the filename. So from "filename.txt" to "filename (2).txt". (Or a " (3)" if a 2 already exists etc – just like we do for files drop.)

[lightweight]

Or use what most filemanagers do: "copy of filename" as the default filename, and then it can be renamed... I agree that the current behaviour (not being able to copy a file into the same directory) is a significant problem for me (e.g. if I create a template/example file that I want to replicate as a specifically named file and alter the filename, I have to copy it first to another folder/directory first, and then back, which is ponderous and seemingly unnecessary given the fairly standard behaviour of other file managers).

[jancborchardt]

@lightweight ok, "Copy of filename.txt" seems good too! :) What Gnome does:

• filename (copy).txt
• filename (another copy).txt
• filename (3rd copy).txt
• filename (4th copy).txt
• etc

This is more obvious than just appending the number, which could also be a conflict or having uploaded the original file again.

[sunjam]

I just encountered this issue when attempting to make a duplicate of a txt file in the Notes directory via the copy command. It is not currently possible, but I'd love to be able to duplicate the text file + re-name it to .md at the same time while using the copy menu. Something along the lines of:

"Markdown Examples.txt" already exists; Do you want to Duplicate or Rename the copy?

instead of current

Could not copy "Markdown Examples.txt"; target exists.

[greenido]

I sent a PR with a fix: https://github.com/nextcloud/server/pull/10825

[zeigerpuppy]

This remains an issue when copying a whole folder, the error target exists prevents duplicating a folder

[jancborchardt]

@zeigerpuppy could you open a separate issue for that? :) It should indeed work the same as for files.

[zeigerpuppy]

sure @jancborchardt, I have created issue #18846