The Squarespace File Renaming Bug

Uploading files to Squarespace isn't exactly an intuitive process, but it generally works. 

However, if you've ever tried uploading javascript or css files and they just don't seem to work, they could have fallen foul of <cue: dramatic music> The Squarespace File Renaming Bug!

The bug strips out all of the full stops except the last one from the uploaded filename.  The problem is that many scripts you may want to integrate will likely have been minimised, and the file naming convention is to place .min before the file type. 

An example

Say you upload:

 
mycustomfile.min.js

You would expect to be able to link to the file using the following syntax:

 
<script type="text/javascript" src="/s/mycustomfile.min.js"></script>

However, if you call your script nothing happens.

This can lead to fruitless debugging sessions  - there's nothing wrong with the script.. ..the problem is that you're not calling it because it has been renamed. 

It is now called

 
mycustomfilemin.js

and you can reference it with the following code

 
<script type="text/javascript" src="/s/mycustomfilemin.js"></script>

What happens if Squarespace fixes the file renaming bug?

I would hope that the fix would only apply to new files uploaded after the bug fix is rolled out.  However, the bug has existed for some time now, so I'm not sure when Squarespace will get round to fixing it. 

To be safe, it might make sense to strip out any extra full stops from your filenames before you upload them so that you know the system has stored them with exactly the name you want. 

Colin Irwin

I’m Colin Irwin, a freelance Squarespace Designer & Developer based in London, UK, with clients in the USA and around the world.

I’m a recognised Squarespace expert. I design and build Squarespace sites for everyone from charities and start ups to major established brands.

https://www.silvabokis.com
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