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JK1736's avatar
JK1736
Explorer | Level 4
5 years ago

Microsoft Office unspecified Error

I purchased a new computer and downloaded Dropbox. I can open JPG and PDF but can not open Microsoft office files like excel or word. I receive a unspecified error. If I go to smart lync and download...
Desktop
Download
Error Messages
Microsoft Office
Space and storage
Sync
Third Party Integrations
  • Villiage13's avatar
    Villiage13
    5 years ago
    Issue seems solved, it’s been a couple weeks and things are running just fine. Uninstalling ad re-installing of MS Office takes literally under 3m.
Walter's avatar
Walter
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

Hi JK1736 - welcome to our Community!

When it comes to 'Online only' files, note that these aren't the real files, rather they're mere placeholders (that take up miniscule space compared to the real ones).

The 3rd party app, Microsoft Office in this case, that's trying to access them is having troubles opening/editing or previewing them until they've been made 'Local' thus including the needed information for 3rd party apps to work with them normally. 

Let me know if this makes sense and if you have any follow up questions, don't hesitate to give me a nudge; I'm always a post away! 

JK1736's avatar
JK1736
Explorer | Level 4
5 years ago

Hi Walter, thank you so much for your quick reply. your analysis sounds spot on. I have 5 computers. I just purchased 3 new ones and only 2 new ones are having this issue. Can you suggest a solution? 

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    5 years ago

    Thank you for your quick response as well JK1736 - I'm glad I could help clear this up. 

    What I'd suggest in this case now is this: Create a designated 'for edits'  folder, copy or move the files you'd like there and keep it relatively small in size for situations where you need to work on the files that will be accessed by the 3rd party apps you're using. 

    That being said and since you mentioned that you've noticed this only on some devices, if you'd ike me to look into this with all of our tools at my disposal just let me know and I'll be more than happ to create a ticket for you. 

    Thanks again! 

    • JK1736's avatar
      JK1736
      Explorer | Level 4
      5 years ago

      Yes, please use all the tools at your disposal and please help find a solution. If I am having an issue with only 2 new computers ( as mentioned earlier the others are fine), I am sure others are having this issue as well. Its an inconsistent problem. Please assist . Thanks. 

      • Walter's avatar
        Walter
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        5 years ago

        Thanks for your swift reply JK1736!

        I've just sent you a brief message so we can investigate further.

        Whenever you get some spare time, please take a look at your email's inbox and we'll take it from there. 

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