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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

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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!

DieBaum

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.

Screenshot_20230317_112427_Microsoft 365 (Office).jpg Screenshot 2023-03-17 1.48.04 PM.png Screenshot_20230317_112448_ES File Explorer Pro.jpg Screenshot_20230317_112500_Microsoft 365 (Office).jpg Screenshot_20230317_112507_Microsoft 365 (Office).jpg Screenshot_20230317_112527_Microsoft 365 (Office).jpg Screenshot_20230317_112535_Microsoft 365 (Office).jpg Screenshot_20230317_112541_Microsoft 365 (Office).jpg

Walter

Hey @DieBaum, sorry to jump in here and sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

May I ask if you're signed into your Microsoft account in the Office 365 app on your mobile device?

Also, is this happening with your own files or files that are shared with you from others?

dana98501

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

dana98501

This is also happening to me. My phone doesn't show updates I make on my computer and I keep getting 'read only' files that I can't edit when I try to update them on my phone manually

dana98501

Then, as soon as I try to save a file it turns into 'read only' and I can no longer edit it

Walter

Hi @dana98501, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Can you clarify your device's OS version and the version of the Dropbox mobile app installed there as well?

Also, how are you editing the file in the first place?

DieBaum

Hi Walter!

Yes, I'm signed in.

These are my files although du to IT-restrictions at work I frequently have to update them on different devices and transfer them by e-mail. Up until yesterday I had no problems caused by that.

Andy

Suept

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.

Suept

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.

THigh

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

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.

THHigh

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

Suept

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.

Hannah

Thanks for the update and the screenshots, @THHigh.

Are you having this issue only with specific files or all your MS Office files?

Are the files currently in a shared or in a private folder in Dropbox?

And if you open the Dropbox app and tap on the (+) icon, are you able to upload the files that way?

Enrico62

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

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!

Enrico62

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.

Hannah

Would you mind sending us a screenshot of the error message, @Enrico62?

Can you also, uninstall Dropbox and the Excel app, restart your device and reinstall them, to see if that helps?

Just keep in mind, that if you're on a free Basic account and you have more than 3 devices linked to your account, if you uninstall and then reinstall, you won't be able to sign in to the Dropbox app, unless you unlink a device.

Enrico62

The Messagge is in Italian ....

This problem happen only between Dropbox and Excel , word ( microsoft suite). File pdf , photos , or other work.

If I save on Drive or Onedrive an Excel or Word file they work.

Thanks for your help !

Jay

Was the file created originally on the Dropbox site, or by the Excel app on the mobile or desktop?

Is the file in a private or shared folder?

Enrico62

The files has been created by excel app .

The file are in a shared folder

The problem has been started yesterday afternoon , on my mobile phone and on the tablet in the some time.

Tryed to uninstall both , dropbox and excel , reboot the tablet , installed the Apps , some problem .

Thanks

Walter

Hey @Enrico62, sorry to jump in here, but since you mentioned a tablet, could you clarify the size of its screen for us?

For Android tablets with screens larger than 10.1", an Office 365 subscription is also required to edit Office files stored in Dropbox Basic, Plus, and Professional accounts.

THHigh

Hey Hannah,

with all MS Office files, I have tried on excel the same and I am getting the same response.

All of the files in a private folder, so that it can be not the case, that the permissions by the owner of the folder are denied or something like that.

If I upload as example a picture it works without problems.

If I use the plus on the app, I can add folders, and also the docs manually....

Any recommendations what I can do to fix it?

Best,
TH

Hannah

Thanks for the additional info again, @THHigh.

I'm still not 100% sure that this issue is related to Dropbox.

If you haven't already, can you also uninstall both the Excel app and the Dropbox app, restart your device and then reinstall them, to see if that helps?

Before you uninstall Dropbox, if you're on a Basic free account, make sure you don't have more than 3 devices linked to your account.

J2Harrell

I am having the same problem - just started this week. I uninstalled dropbox, cleared data and cache from Word (Galaxy won't let you uninstall it). Rebooted, Reinstalled, Relinked word to dropbox and the same result, Create a word doc, try to save it in Dropbox and after trying to save - get error mesage saying it is read only. The file is never saved in dropbox in the folder I chose. This is a business account.

Megan

Hi @J2Harrell, let's jump right into this!

Do you also have an Android device, which you're using when you're trying to open your Word files? If so, what is the OS of the device?

Also, does this happen with all of your Word documents?

Let me know more!

Trush861

I am having the same issue with my tablet, Galaxy Tab A8 version 13, dropbox version 320.2.10, MS Word 1.0.1 (16.0.16130.20188).

Have uninstalled, signed out back in, updated everything, will save onto the device and one drive but not dropbox.

Jay

Hi @Trush861, are you opening files via the Dropbox mobile app, or are you opening them in Word directly?

Trush861

I am using the Dropbox mobile app