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Forum Discussion
can't save files from Office365-app to Dropbox - supposedly write protected
Hello there!
Starting yesterday all of a sudden I can't save files to my Dropbox via the Office 365-app anymore. I get a message telling me that the file is write protected, which it isn't. It tells me to save a copy, when trying to do that I get the same error message.
Up until the day before yesterday everything worked like a charm. I haven't knowingly changed anything about my smartphone's configuration, no new apps etc.
Had anyone ever experienced this issue?
Any ideas on how to solve it?
Thank you!
Andy
- Hi. Keep having issues with uploading my word files to Dropbox.
The message keeps reading
Can't edit - This file is read only. First save a copy of the file.- Megan
Dropbox Staff
Hey there, Si5, how are you today?
Could you clarify which one of our platforms you use when this happens? I am assuming you're referring to your mobile, am I right on this?
Provided this is the case, could also clarify the version of the app you use on your mobile, your OS and also send me a screenshot of the error message, that'd be amazing.
Keep me posted!
Screen shot of message in Excel that the file opened from Dropbox is READ ONLY. Note, this file shows up in the Excel list of recent files and even says it was saved to Dropbox....BUT it wasn't.
- Windows word document on my Samsung fold and Samsung S8 ultra.
Never had this problem before.
I can't upload the screenshot of the error.
App version 322.2.4
- Exactly the same thing is happening to me. Anytime I try to edit Word files in my Dropbox folder on my Android phone, it tells me that the file is "read only" and cannot be edited. This makes Dropbox nearly useless to me.
Exactly the same thing is ALSO happening to me. I have an Android phone with both Excel & Word installed and Dropbox mobile app. For YEARS I have been able to easily retrieve and same files from my private Dropbox folders either through the MS apps OR open them directly from the Dropbox app and after editing save them directly from the MS apps back to Dropbox. It's been a dream. But within the last couple of months when I open either through the MS apps OR through the Dropbox app, I can edit them but the message pops up that the file is READ ONLY and says I must SAVE A COPY or DISMISS. When I try to save, it acts as if it is saving and from then on even includes the file name in the list of recent files within either MS app. BUT the file has NOT been saved in Dropbox at all! Like the others on this thread, I CAN easily save the file to OneDrive or even Box. So either Dropbox has screwed up the interface or MS is locking Dropbox out! But surely this can be solve?
HELP!
I have exactly the same problem on Android (phone and tablet). I could send identical screenshot to those in this thread.
I have uninstalled and reinstalled Dropbox, although it was already the latest version.
Sometimes I am able to save with a different file name but not always.
Again, this has only just started to occur.
I have this feeling that the problem happened once before then just resolved itself, so perhaps there has been some unforeseen change in an update.
Further update.
Open and edit the file in Dropbox, then Save As to OneDrive.
It seems to work that way round.
I remember having to do this with Office 365 some time ago, then it seemed to resolve itself.
Hey,
When I try saving a DOCX or any other file on Android from the MS Office Apps (Excel, Powerpoint, Word) inside my dropbox (Android App as well), I always get :
can´t edit this file is read-only. To edit it save a copy of file.
(also saved "locally" and then into dropbox same again.....)
If I save it under any other disk space or cloud service no problems at all.
Lik one week ago i could save like that in Dropbox without problems, it is really anoying if that is not wirking any more.....
Actually in that case the whole tablet and dropbox is a bit useless for me....
The bug has to be somewhere inside the integration between the Apps on my Android device.
The MS Office Apps workes fine, and dropbox on every other device as well....
Any suggestions where the bug is?
or how I can solve this?
Are there similar cases?
Thank you for your time, and a quit nice day to everybody,
Best
TH- I have been having the same problem for about 1 to 2 weeks. On Android 13.
- Hannah
Hey THigh, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Would you mind describing the exact steps you follow until you get to the point of the error message?
Which Android OS version are you running and which version of the Dropbox app do you have installed?
Any additional info would also be really helpful.
Thanks in advance.
Hi,
I answear under another Name but I opened this Post as THigh, so do not be confused.
The sorting of the Picture is hopefully right...
So reprudaction of the error, saving a document under the Dropbox account, the Massage bar (see one Picutre) pops up and no chance to save the Document inside Dropbox. After re-opening Word, and saving another document, then there are files backuped (see Picture "Files that need your attention)..
All other is commented under the Pictures.
I hope that helps.
Versions
Android OS
Android™ 12 (will receive Android™ 13 in 2023)
Code of actual system update TB125FU_S000160_230227_ROW
Tablet Lenovo
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/tablets/android-tablets/lenovo-tab-series/lenovo-tab-m10-plus-gen-3/len103l0010?orgRef=https%253A%252F%252Fduckduckgo.com%252F
Word latest update!
Dropbox latest update!
Thank you for the response,
Best regards,
TH
by the next openening of Word, these unsave files are backuped automatically by word, and then in Read only mode, i never had that before.
Saving under One Drive works, if i go the same way on the Dropbox, theni get this massage and cannot save into Dropbox
- I am using the Dropbox mobile app
Hi Everybody
Since yesterday i am not able to save file from excel to dropbox. The files was storage on dropobox , I open them with excel , work on them and when I save on dropbox a Message on excell says : " the file cannot be uploaded. there is a problem and the changes cannot be loaded". The some file I can upload on Onedrive or other place.
The system is android 13 , excel365
Thanks
- I'm having the same issue. When saving it says, "Can't Edit. This file is read-only, first save a copy of the file." and in fact is it already a new copy. Tried clearing cache, reinstalled Excell and Dropbox yet its happening to my android devices.
- I have the same problem. I used to be able to save Excel files directly to Dropbox but now get message that file is Read Only. I try and save with a different name and still have the same problem. I can save same file to Google Drive and One Drive.
- Jay
Hi Enrico62, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Just for clarification, could you confirm the exact steps you take when opening and editing the app on your mobile device? Are you opening the Dropbox mobile app, and then tapping the Excel file to open in Excel, or are you trying to use Excel first to open the file?
Are all the apps on the latest version?
This will help me to assist further!
Yes dropbox and excel for mobile are both the latest version. It happens to me both on the S8+ 8 Gb Ram tablet and on the Note 20 12 Gb Ram mobile phone.
The file is storage on Dropbox, I view it, click on "open with" , open with excel , then edit it.
Then I go to "save as" , I look on dropbox for the location to put it click on "save"and the message appears.
I do all my site work using Word or Office 365 mobile apps on My Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ and save all my work into Dropbox. However, last couple of weeks i can no longer save my work to Dropbox only locally or into Onedrive. I can open files from Dropbox and its linked but i cant save them. It comes up with the message i cant edit it and either have to save a copy or dismiss and trying to rename and save a copy gives the same response. Ive uninstalled and reinstalled, cleared cache etc and im just back in the same place again.
- Megan
Hi Tinners, I hope you're doing well!
My colleague Hannah shared some findings on her response. If you have any questions, let me know!
Thank you!
We are all having this problem.....and Dropbox has "concluded" it's a problem for MSoft! Sheesh!
- Megan
Hi there, DieBaum, how are you today?
Have you made sure that both Office 365 and your Dropbox app are up to date, and that you're using their latest versions on your mobile? We need to make sure that the error you're getting when trying to save your file to Dropbox, isn't linked to this.
Does that happen with all of your files, or a specific file type? Can you also send me a few screenshots of the steps you follow, and the error you receive on your end, in order for me to have a clear visual?
Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!
Hey there!
Thank you for the quick answer. I have just checked the app store and it tells me all apps are up to date.
I have added some screenshots so you can see what is going on.
My files aren't synchronizing on my phone when I edit them on my computer, and I keep getting "read only" files that I cannot edit on my phone
- I'm having a problem when I try to save a file from office 365 to Dropbox, it remains in "read-only" even if i try to save it multiple times. Tnx for helping
- Hannah
Hey Saltatempo, I've moved your post to this relevant thread.
Make sure to take a look at this reply for more info.
