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Cannot edit word document on iPhone Microsoft word app

Greg Lloyd

Is there any advice how to edit the text of a word document opened initially from my Dropbox account that then opens into the Microsoft word app on an iPhone? The “pen” button to edit cannot be selected and I don’t see the icon for “I” anywhere to edit the text. Thank you.

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Jay

Hi @Greg Lloyd, thanks for posting on the Community!

What versions of the Dropbox and Microsoft Word app are you running on your device?

Is the Word file located in a shared folder or a private folder?

Any other info or screenshots of the file open in Word would be helpful!

Greg Lloyd

Hi Jay,

I have the most up to date drop box and microsoft word app available to the iPhone. Only I can edit the file but I only have one Dropbox account.

I tried to copy and paste a screen shot of the word document but it will not allow me here. The best explanation I can give is the “pen” marker is not clickable. (Greyed out)

Jay

If the edit button is greyed out, then it means the document can't be edited for some reason.

Are you able to edit the file from the Dropbox site on a desktop machine?

Greg Lloyd

Yes, I can edit this from a laptop. But still can’t edit the text from the Microsoft word app. Just updated Dropbox app again and still having the same issue. Any thoughts?

Walter

Hey @Greg Lloyd, sorry to jump in here and happy Friday!

Can you please check if your device's OS version is up to date?

While at it, could you also check if there's any pending update for our mobile app and the Microsoft Word app as well?

Let us know what you find, Greg!

Greg Lloyd

Iphone is up to date, version 14.6 and both Dropbox app and Microsoft word app are up to date. I can open the file in Dropbox app, then to “edit” the file I selected the tab which prompts “open in Microsoft word” and when the file opens in Microsoft word the pen tab is grayed out and I cannot edit it.

Walter

Have you signed into a Microsoft account upon this process, Greg?

If you did, could you try completely uninstalling our app and reinstalling it anew?

Greg Lloyd

I just uninstalled and reinstalled both the Dropbox app and the Microsoft word app and tried opening the file again but it still won’t let me edit the file on my iPhone. This seems to be a problem with the connection between the file when opened in Microsoft word. Possible a new update to fix this? Any other ideas? I pay for the Dropbox Plus and it’s unfortunate that I can edit the files on my phone (a large reason I purchased Dropbox plus as I don’t often use my laptop to look at and edit files I create).

Greg Lloyd

Can’t edit*

Walter

Could you try disconnecting Microsoft Office through your Connected Apps tab and connecting it anew, Greg?

Maybe that will do the trick.

Greg Lloyd

Hi Walter,

I disconnected the Microsoft office app as you suggested but now can’t seem to reconnect it to my Dropbox account. When “Microsoft office” is searched in the search tab the only option is “Learn more” and then I can’t seem to figure out to reconnect it. Any advice?

Jay

Hi @Greg Lloyd, to reconnect the app, try tapping the edit button now to see if you get the option to connect the app to your Dropbox account.

Greg Lloyd

Added Microsoft office online and still won’t let me edit on my iPhone once document is open

Jay

Thanks for the info, I'd recommend contacting the support team directly for further assistance on this matter.