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sendyjasmine's avatar
sendyjasmine
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago

Error in opening Google sheets document

Hi,

 

I'm encountering a problem while using Google sheets that's integrated with Dropbox. It used to be fine, but when I tried to open it today, the page refused to load and the message that I got is "File could not open. Try refreshing the page". I already tried to refresh the page several times, but it wouldn't work. I even tried to copy the file and open the copy -- but again, to no avail. This happened to my several other Google sheets documents as well.

 

What do you think is happening and what should I do now? I'm afraid that it will affect my other Google documents since I'm using the Google-Dropbox integration quite often. 

 

I'd appreciate any help, thanks!

 

  • Hi Megan, thanks for replying, I copy the files into the same folder (though error also happens when I copy to elsewhere).

    Steps are summarised below so you can see the second error in context. I sent the original issue to support on March 14th, (ticket 21729904) dropbox engineers are working on it but no progress afaik.

     

    Error 1:

    - Try to open 'Problem1.gsheet' spreadsheet file

    - 'Could not open file, try refreshing the page'

    Workaround:

    - Rename file to 'Problem1.xlsx', open online, file works

    - Close file, rename to .gsheet, open online, file works 

    Error 2:

    - Make a copy of the 'fixed' .gsheet aka 'Problem1-fixed-copy.gsheet'

    - 'Could not open file, try refreshing the page'

     

    Essentially the workaround only sorts out individual files, it does not fix the issue with using copies of files. Some people mentioned that the problem applies mostly to copies of 'template' files.

     

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

    Welcome to our forum, sendyjasmine!

     

    Have you also tried to access your Google Sheets via another browser? If so, do you still see the same error message?

     

    Also, do you have any Google Docs/Slides saved on your Dropbox account? Do they also give the same error? 

     

    Let me know.

    • sendyjasmine's avatar
      sendyjasmine
      Explorer | Level 4

      Yes, I already tried it in different browser but still to no avail. I tried opening other Google sheets documents and some of them could be opened while others couldn't. It seems pretty random at the moment.

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

        Thanks for updating me! 

         

        Are you having any issues at all when previewing these files on the web (right before you open them)? 

         

        Also, the files that you’re having this issue with, are they shared with another user or are they all personal files?

  • Hi. I've created several templates using Google Sheets that have been directly created in dropbox.com . When I try making copies/duplicates for some of the google sheets - the duplicated version won't open it says exactly this: File could not open. Try refreshing the page. I've tried making duplicates in the same folder, different folders, tried opening from safari and chrome, and the issue is still the same. I've tried making duplicates from both Dropbox web and dropbox finder. I didn't have this issue last week as I duplicated a budget where both files could open and be edited in but now making a duplicate won't open. Please please please help if anyones experienced the same thing and has a solution!

     

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

      Hey organizerpm123345, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

       

      Are you having this issue only with Google Sheets, or other G-Suite files as well, like Google Docs, etc.?

       

      How about entirely different file types?

       

      Can you please send us a screenshot of the error, so we can have a visual as well?

       

      Thanks in advance.

      • Cory M's avatar
        Cory M
        New member | Level 2

        I am also having this same exact issue with one of my google sheet files in dropbox

  • pollenstudio's avatar
    pollenstudio
    Explorer | Level 4

    We have been using Google Sheets and Documents within our Dropbox for over a year now, however, recently when we attempt to open older documents or copies of our Google templates (from Finder, the Dropbox app and the internet site) we are directed to a webpage that says "File could not open. Try refreshing the page"

     

    The same error appears on Chrome, Safari and Firefox and refreshing doesn't seem to work. Does anyone else has the issue and, if so, is there a way to resolve it? 

  • KOMA's avatar
    KOMA
    Helpful | Level 6

    Hi

    As of this morning I can't open large google spreadsheets (I've checked 5 large files) on Dropbox either via desktop or online. Small files (single sheets with less than 200 lines) open fine, gdocs and slides also open. Making a copy of the files, clearing cache, logging in+out, incognito, wifi/wired connections, different laptop (mac and windows), and different browsers did not help. I have already contacted support for help (they are working on it), posting here in case someone in the community has another idea.

    Many thanks!

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

      Hey KOMA, thanks for reaching out to us about this.

       

      What kind of error message are you getting?

       

      And what is the size of the files you're having this issue with?

       

      If you can also give us the ticket number for your communication with our support team, I would really appreciate it.

       

      Thanks!

      • KOMA's avatar
        KOMA
        Helpful | Level 6

        Hi Hannah, the message is

         

        Google Sheets 

        Could not open file. Try refreshing the page.

         

        I'm not sure how to check the file size for these documents as I believe they are effectively just links? On my desktop they say 200 bytes but so do all other files where we use the google interface for files 'created' on dropbox. I call them large files as I know from my own work that they are long documents with a significant amount of descriptive text, we are not using the spreadsheets for calculation, there is generally just one formula to gather the descriptions from multiple cells into a single cell, there is also a good bit of in-cell visual formatting. The files I consider small/ simple are still descriptive but no more than say 2-5 words per cell (eg a name or location), a date, or link. 

         

        My ticket number is 21729904

         

        Many Thanks!