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ExasperatedUser's avatar
ExasperatedUser
Helpful | Level 5
3 years ago

Can't edit then and SAVE (not save as!) Office documents on Android. Please help.

I'm not a tech guru, but not a complete newbie either.

I have the standard free Dropbox (140.4.1951) on my Windows 10 laptop (all automatic updates).
Dropbox app on my Samsung S10e (running the latest version 12).

Office app (all in one) on my Samsung.

I also have (as a test just now), the Word standalone app.

 

TEST 1

I opened the Dropbox app on my phone. I could see all my files. I opened a Word doc using the Office All-In-One app. I made a simple edit. I could not save the edit unless I chose 'Save as'. I didn't want to Save As. I wanted to edit my Word document, save the changes and then open the file on my laptop.

TEST 2

I opened the same Word doc using the standalone Word app. I was asked to login to Dropbox to complete the pairing with Word. To my surprise, the edit option was greyed out.

 

TEST 3

I opened the same Word doc using the Office All-In-One app. For some reason the edit option which appeared before is now greyed out.

 

What am I missing? I've searched forums, checked settings, all to no avail. Please help.

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    Hey ExasperatedUser, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

    I'm not sure if you're aware, but Dropbox Basic, Plus, and Professional accounts can edit for free, however you'll be asked to sign in with a Microsoft account.

    On Android devices, you'll be able to edit without signing in for some time, but eventually a Microsoft login will be required. Dropbox Business accounts will need an Office 365 (Business, Business Premium, ProPlus, E3 or E4) subscription in order to edit files.

    A Microsoft login is also required when opening the Office apps directly to access your Dropbox files there.

    I hope this information helps and please let me know if you're still having issues with editing after logging into your Microsoft account on your Android device. 
     
    • ExasperatedUser's avatar
      ExasperatedUser
      Helpful | Level 5

      Hi Walter
      Another question based on the link you kindly provided...

      Is editing MY document from MY PC on MY phone considered co-authoring? Do I need to move my entire Dropbox into a shared folder so I can edit documents on my phone? That seems absurd.

    • ExasperatedUser's avatar
      ExasperatedUser
      Helpful | Level 5

      Hi Walter
      Thanks for your reply.

      I have an Office 365 subscription. When I open the Office All-In-One app on my phone, I am logged in to my Microsoft Account. The same applies when I open the standalone Word app, logged in. 

      Neither app allow me to edit anymore. I don't understand why.

       

      Am I correct in assuming that the process is meant to be this?

      Open Dropbox app.

      Navigate to desired Word document.

      Open Word document.

      Edit document.

      Hit save - file saves changes in original location within Dropbox. There is no need to save as or navigate through my folders and then overwrite the existing file.

       

      I'll keep searching for clues.

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        Hi ExasperatedUser, the steps you provided are correct for editing Word files on your account. You wouldn't even need to save manually, since Word would autosave every few seconds. 

        The file doesn't need to be in a shared folder, it can be in a private folder. Just to clarify, the edit option you're mentioning is the pencil icon in Word? Could you attach a screenshot showing what you're describing in order to assist further?