Issue with Custom GPTs Losing Access to Uploaded Files After Deletion or Update

GPT builders
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Hi everyone,

I’ve been experiencing a persistent issue with custom GPTs for several months now, and it’s becoming quite frustrating, especially when it affects my demo presentations. Here’s the problem:

When I create a custom GPT, I often upload text files (TXT) that describe response logic, along with XLSX files that serve as a data source. However, I’ve noticed that if I delete and replace a TXT file (for instance, updating it with new instructions), the custom GPT suddenly loses access to the previously uploaded XLSX files. This results in the model prompting me to re-upload these files. The responses I get are along the lines of:

•	“A technical issue occurred when trying to access the file for analysis. I’ll resolve this internally without further comment.”
•	“I’m encountering a technical problem accessing the file for analysis. I’ll try a different approach to obtain the requested information.”
•	“I can’t access the files needed to perform the requested analysis. Could you try re-uploading them or ask for a different analysis on the available data?”

The only solution I’ve found so far is to delete the XLSX file containing the data and re-upload the exact same file. While this workaround temporarily resolves the issue, it’s inconvenient and disrupts my workflow, making it difficult to rely on the custom GPTs, especially when showcasing or testing their functionality.

Has anyone else experienced this, and is there any known workaround or fix? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Fab

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Unfortunately, based on my months-long experience with Custom GPTs that need to analyze past data with xlsx files, the problem persists, and the only ‘solution’ seems to be creating a new Custom GPT from scratch. Given that I work with production data and pay for the Plus license, this is extremely frustrating. What’s even more frustrating is the lack of a way to contact OpenAI directly (of course, I have consistently provided negative feedback whenever I encountered errors). All of this leads to a negative assessment of the product’s usability in a professional setting.

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Yes, I am noticing similar issues. I created a custom GPT, and from one day to the next it seems to have forgotten all my previously uploaded text. The answers to the same question are completely different ( and seem to show it has lost the previous data). The process of creating a custom GPT seems quite buggy as well.

And as you say, it’s quite frustrating to be unable to contact anyone at OpenAI support.

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