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BusyNurse's avatar
BusyNurse
New member | Level 2
8 years ago
Solved

Unable to attach as a file

I have been using Dropbox for several years now and up until last week I had 2 options when trying to send my files via email: attach as a file or upload a link. I no longer have the “attach a file” option. The people I work with do not use Dropbox and have no interest in the added steps to access the files I send. Please help me restore my ability to attach the file to my emails
  • I've just tested the issue you've described and this seems to be an issue with Outlook, not Dropbox, as Dropbox doesn't control that process. Microsoft created the process of attaching files from within Outlook. They simply use the Dropbox API to do it. In fact, Dropbox doesn't even need to be installed on the device.

    You'll need to reach out to Microsoft for assistance with this.
  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
    What platform are you doing this on; computer, mobile, etc.? Please list the exact steps you're taking.
    • BusyNurse's avatar
      BusyNurse
      New member | Level 2
      I am using a mobile platform using all the same steps I have used forever.
      I open my outlook, click to add an attachment, select the folder and then the file I am looking for...
      The options have always been “attach as a file” or “attach a link”.
      Now the only option is to attach a link
  • PDH's avatar
    PDH
    Helpful | Level 5

    When I go to attach a PDF file to an outlook email through dropbox, I now only get the link option. I’m using an iPad Pro with 11.2.5 & I think this started after the update. Thanks

    • Rich's avatar
      Rich
      Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
      I've just tested the issue you've described and this seems to be an issue with Outlook, not Dropbox, as Dropbox doesn't control that process. Microsoft created the process of attaching files from within Outlook. They simply use the Dropbox API to do it. In fact, Dropbox doesn't even need to be installed on the device.

      You'll need to reach out to Microsoft for assistance with this.
      • Lambi's avatar
        Lambi
        New member | Level 2
        I’ve the same problem - outlook update has got rid of the feature it’s now a pain in the backside.

        Is there another away of attaching multiple files in outlook as files rather ban links?
  • Martyn's avatar
    Martyn
    New member | Level 2

    You can use alternative email apps to access your outlook email to attach file. For iPhone iOS11 using native Mail app:

     

    1. Go to Mail

    2. Hold your finger on the blank space of the mail until the pop-up appears

    3. Choose "Add Attachment"

    4. You will come to native Document app, click the "Locations" of the top left corner

    5. It will show any cloud storage apps you have on your phone, choose "Dropbox"

    6. Choose any files you would like to attach in there

     

    Hurrah, you have succesfully attached a file in your email! Different email apps may have slightly different steps but the key steps are choosing "Locations" and then "Dropbox" for iPhone users after you try to add attachment.

     

    I think Android phone should work the same. By using other email apps will bypass the inability of Outlook app to attach file from Dropbox or any other cloud storage sources. Hope this helps.

    • Moma's avatar
      Moma
      Explorer | Level 3

      We need to know how to attach a dropbox file via Outlook mail.

      • Rich's avatar
        Rich
        Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

        Moma wrote:

        We need to know how to attach a dropbox file via Outlook mail.


        If you're doing this from within the Outlook app, then you need to contact Microsoft as it's their app and they seem to have removed that ability.

         

        If you're doing this from within Dropbox, tap the elipsis ( ... ) for the file and select Export. Then tap Open in and select Outlook. Outlook will open and start a new email with the file attached.

    • FollowThrough's avatar
      FollowThrough
      Helpful | Level 6
      When composing email in iOS Mail
      Press for action bar
      Select Add Attachment
      Screen should go to Locations/iCloud/Dropbox/

      Dropbox not appearing even though files accessible via Dropbox app.

      Going to blame Apple now along with Microsoft?
    • FollowThrough's avatar
      FollowThrough
      Helpful | Level 6

      I ised to have this feature till the last Ios  and Drop Box updates. Now DB doesn't show up in Locations, only icloud folders. show up, and there's no "More" button to tap either.

  • Orchidtreelady's avatar
    Orchidtreelady
    Explorer | Level 4
    I would like to know if you find a solution to this. I’m having the same issue
  • mwaugh124's avatar
    mwaugh124
    New member | Level 2
    I had the strangest thing happen last week with attaching a file from Outlook on my iPhone. After attaching and sending the person had access to my entire folder instead of the one file I selected. I chatted with support who insisted I must have created a link to my folder in error. Was disappointed at their response so didn’t share for about a week hoping issue was one time. Tried again today and same thing happened. Noticed also the option of attaching the file instead of a link now gone.
    • Rich's avatar
      Rich
      Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

      A person can only have access to the specific item that was linked to. If they're seeing an entire folder, then the link was to the folder and not a file within it. Also, if you're testing the link yourself, YOU will see your entire folder because you're already logged in to Dropbox. A recipient of a link will not see that.

       

      Microsoft seems to have changed the functionality within Outlook. The ability to attach a file directly no longer exists within Outlook. You can still attach a file to an email, but you need to initiate it from Dropbox by first opening the file, selecting the Export option and choosing Outlook. This will start a new email with the file as an attachment, not a link.

      • Ross_S's avatar
        Ross_S
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        I've been looking into this over the last week, just came across this thread.

        In short, Rich is right. This is Microsoft functionality that we have no control over. 

  • Natweb's avatar
    Natweb
    Explorer | Level 4
    I’m experiencing the same problem for a couple of weeks now when I send emails from my iPhone or my iPad using Outlook.
    Previously when I wanted to attach a Dropbox file to an email I clicked on the “clip” icon, selected the file I wanted to share and once it opened on screen I had 2 choices at the bottom: one was to add the file as an attachment and the second choice was to include a link to the file. Now I don’t have a choice. In other words, I can only include the link, which for some people is not so practical. Especially elderly clients who don’t trust links even if they see they are coming from a well known source. I’d love to have the choice between attachment and link again, please!
    Ps: The problem only occurs when I use Outlook. If I send emails from Mail the files can be attached without any problems.
    • Rich's avatar
      Rich
      Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

      Natweb

       

      I've moved your message into another thread that discusses this issue. Please read the posts above. The short version is that this is a change that Microsoft has made and only they can resolve it. You'll need to contact them.

  • LaurelK's avatar
    LaurelK
    New member | Level 2
    I have same problem, using iOS. Can no longer attach a PDF saved to Dropbox which prior to now I’ve been able to attach. It appears the files that say “Shared” are ghosted, and I cannot attach any. Don’t have the little cloud icon. Instead what comes up when selecting is “change file name.”
  • SMITH255's avatar
    SMITH255
    New member | Level 2

    You can initially upload to the File to Drop Box/ Google Drive and then create a link under given options.

    Then you will able to insert the link to  E-Mail.

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